As a seasoned therapist, I have found that, as a rule, the more knowledge and skills I possess, the better the therapy outcome... and you deserve the best therapy possible!

 

My goal and commitment is to use everything at my disposal to help you.  I believe that the best therapeutic environment is one in which the client and I establisha collaborative relationship.  My best includes: staying current with new and evidence-based knowledge of what works in therapy; getting the training and the skills to provide it; and maintaining the necessary expertise to help you focus on your goals.

 

Most people who come to see me tell me, in their own way, that they want something to change, or they want to grow or change in a particular area, either personally, professionally, or relationally, or a combination.  They come with the hope that psychotherapy with me can help them to do it and they almost always want a healthier, more productive, more satisfying life.  Some things people tell me they want is to:

 

• feel better about themselves / get rid of self-critical thoughts

• feel more positive overall / have more energy

• reduce stress / anxiety / worry

• enjoy more social support: friendships / family / community

• get rid of a habit that is interfering with their lives

• develop better communication or coping skills

• enjoy more emotional stability

• engage in and maintain a loving, primary relationship

 

To assist clients in these goals, I bring experience and training in the approaches below and may use them in the therapy process.

 

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

     A type of depth psychology in which the therapist helps a client to look within, review her life, and explore early life influences and sources of emotional vulnerability; some of which, due to the pain associated with them, may be or have been out of her awareness (unconscious).  By gaining insight into her early life, she examines whatever may be unresolved, makes connections between the present day challenges/symptoms and early life influences, and improves and develops skills to correct unhealthy patterns and enjoy life more fully.

 

In using Psychodynamic approaches to address deeper issues and early trauma, I provide a safe and compassionate environment to clients who have suffered from early betrayals of trust and abuse, among others.  This atmosphere is essential to assisting clients to develop a kinder approach to the self as well as to healing deeper wounds.

 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

     As a rule, you can expect that I will guide you and help you learn to:

          - Identify what you want to accomplish in therapy (good for other endeavors, as well)

          - Help you experience yourself as capable.  I will assist you in identifying and fine tuning the skills                  you already have, and learning new ones that we think will be useful to you.

          - Identify those patterns of thinking and behavior that affect your mood, undermine your self-worth,              and sabotage what you are trying to achieve.

          - Understand the link between beliefs, thoughts, mood and behavior.

          - Learn new patterns of thinking and behavior that will help you feel better, increase your sense of                  personal control, and accomplish your goals.

 

In concrete terms, your therapy will achieve what you set out to accomplish more efficiently, see measurable success as you move along, practice new skills and exercises in between sessions, designed to solidify what you learn and in turn, making our sessions more productive.

 

Holistic & Wholistic Therapy

     It's almost hard to believe that there was once a time, not too long ago, when any approach to healing or treating a malady, other than those accepted by traditional, Western medicine, was referred to and dismissed as quacky or a hoax.  Nevertheless, there has been a rather radical turning away from what was commonly accepted, that the mind and body were two distinct entitities.  New science, new therapies, and a realization of the benefits of Eastern Medicine, have led not only to a greater understanding of the person as a whole, but also tot the interrleatedness of all of its "parts," of the whole person.

 

Holistic refers to the entirety of someone, or something; to the whole, as with a system, and to the interactions of diverse parts (and their interdependence), and to healing systems that are considered "alternative.

 

Wholistic often refers to one's entire makeup, body, mind and spirit and the belief that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts - the phsyiological, psychic, and spiritual connections between the state of the body and that of the mind.

 

Mind-Body and Integrative Medicine

     When people think about using Mind-Body approaches, their mind-set is to use whatever methods are available, or combinations thereof, to help them get better.  Integrative medicine combines mainstream medical therapies with complementary and alternative therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.

 

Now considered mainstream, these well researched modalities are known for treating the whole person, and can include: Mindfulness, Directed Meditation, Deep Relaxation, and Hypnosis, and the integration of client-specific, psycho-spiritual dimensions, and more; all to promote health and change.  Currently there are several, established Integrative Medicine Centers in the U.S. and elsewhere.

 

Rarely is one therapeutic approach the best treatment for every client, at any given stage of the therapy process.  As clients grow, they may benefit from a shift in the therapeutic approach.  No matter which modalites are involved, if you are in individual psychotherapy with me, your goals will guide the work we do together.  My training and compassion will serve your natural inclination toward growth and wholeness, so you can ultimately enjoy a more satisfying and rewarding life.

 

In conclusion:

You should have the feeling that I "get you."  I hope that you will trust me enough to let me know how you think things are going so far, or not.  We will decide on a plan (though flexible) to get what you want from therapy - and you are the main architect.  By creating a supportive environment and having a respectful approach, I can help you, step-by-step, to understand yourself in a gentler way and to develop abilities that allow you to support yourself in groing in the direction you may have always wanted.

 

Feel free to call me to ask questions or make an appointment at (917) 648-1986.