Who should seek Therapy?

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Therapy is appropriate for anyone who is looking for the 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? 

 

Step I: Consultation

 

I provide a complimentary phone or brief in-person consultation to help determine whether my therapeutic style is a good fit for your personality, and what you are seeking from therapy. 

 

Step II: Initial Interview

 

If we decide that we may be a good fit, I will invite you to come in for a 90-minute intake interview. I will ask you about your personal, medical, and developmental history, but mostly, I am interested in knowing more about what you are seeking help with and what your expectations and goals are from therapy.  You may decide to have a significant other (e.g., partner, parent, adult child) accompany you to this session, if you think that would contribute to the interview. 

 

Step III: Therapy Planning 

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At the end of the intake interview, we will make a plan for how to move forward. On rare occasion, I have recommended a medical or medication evaluation if I think one is warranted and if you haven't had one recently. 

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Step IV: Beginning and Continuing Therapy

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The therapeutic process is collaborative. Early sessions may be more directive or educational, but they quickly evolve to focusing on present moments and sensations, trust, and relationship building. I am happy to offer tools and strategies as you need them for specific conditions so that you can start to move toward self-acceptance, growth, and finding fulfillment in your life in the here and now.   

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I encourage all my patients to begin with weekly sessions, but the frequency of sessions is ultimately based on your needs and goals. You will typically begin to see changes after 4-6 weeks of weekly therapy.

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 Therapeutic Styles

 

My therapeutic style draws on Contemporary Relational Gestalt Theory that emphasizes the therapist-patient relationship as a means to bring about awareness and appreciation of the client as a whole being, in the here and now, and not narrowly defined by their emotional responses and/or psychiatric diagnosis. 

 

To learn more about these theories and their components, please click on the links below:

An Overview of Relational Gestalt Therapy I

An Overview of Relational Gestalt Therapy II

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