PSYCHOTHERAPY | httpdrgsavlawixcomgsavla

Who should seek Therapy?

Therapy is for anyone who is looking for support to cope with difficult emotions, and/or challenges related to navigating life circumstances, stage of psychological development, or existential self-questioning. Some people seeking therapy have a diagnosis of a mental illness, but many do not. Emotions such as anxiety or depression are not always "disordered"; indeed, in today's harum-scarum world, some of those responses may not only be normal, but also, appropriate. Therapy can facilitate a deeper understanding of your psychological processes, strategies and skills, and personal growth. Good therapy can help you understand and/or deepen the connections with yourself and others, and live a life you value.

What happens in Therapy?

I offer a complimentary initial consultation so that you and I can determine if we could work well together. If we decide that we could, I will invite you for an intake interview. During that interview, I will ask you about your personal, medical, and developmental history, but mostly, I am interested in knowing more about what you are struggling with, currently.

The sessions following these initial meetings are individual (and occasionally, family) therapy sessions, lasting 45 to 60 minutes. I encourage all my patients to begin with weekly sessions, but the frequency of sessions is ultimately based on your needs.

Therapeutic Style

My therapeutic style is rooted in humanistic and relational gestalt traditions. The following themes are central to this kind of therapy:

We focus on the Here and Now: We practice awareness of ourselves in time and space. We are aware of past and future considerations as they reflect in the Enduring Relational Themes that affect our present relationships.
We heal through authentic dialogue: We will have a genuine, human-to-human encounter that fosters transparent, respectful engagement.
We embody the Paradoxical Theory of Change: We learn to accept ourselves as we are, and interact with our environment as it is, not as we hope it will be.
We strive to restore dignity and wholeness: We work collaboratively and practice humility and curiosity toward all parts of our and others' humanity.
We will become aware of our relational field: We do not exist in isolation. We acknowledge how we shape and are shaped by the context in which we exist and have come to exist

Here are two introductory papers that may give you a better idea of Relational Gestalt Therapy should you want to read them. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about their content.

The Paradoxical Theory of Change

Relationality and Relational Processes