My Approach To Therapy

My theoretical orientation can be considered integrative since I borrow from a combination of several different therapeutic approaches. I have had considerable training and experience in psychodynamic, humanistic-existential, group and family systems models of treatment. I use these ideas to help guide the treatment process and work within the context of a safe, empathic therapeutic environment.

With each client, I will listen carefully and strive to understand your experience. This requires building trust and being able to think and talk together. Interventions will be based on developmental considerations and presenting problems.

With adults, this means that psychotherapy typically involves exploring feelings, perceptions, and beliefs about oneself and others, understanding how and why self-defeating or painful patterns of living have developed, and discovering how to work through and resolve them.

With adolescents, different strategies may be used to make treatment gains. For older adolescents or teenagers, the therapy may include more experiential learning activities such as bringing in music or art or other particular interests to evoke and explore emotions. With younger adolescents, psychotherapy may often involve communicating through play, art, and other creative activity to help the child manage difficult feelings and situations. For both the child and adolescent client, therapy usually involves conjoint counseling with the family, parents or caregivers in terms of formulating goals. In this way, the child or adolescent can be seen within the context of the family system where the work of therapy can help to foster a healing dialogue.

I am committed to helping you focus on you by discovering and speaking the truth of your experience, including those parts of you that may be unrecognized, unspoken, and unlived.