At our first meeting, we will talk about your current situation and understand the issues and needs you have. I will give you feedback about what I think and what might help. This meeting is generally over an hour. Subsequent sessions are typically 45 minutes in length.
In the field of psychotherapy and counseling, many treatment approaches exist. In the course of our early work together we will discuss what treatment method is best suited to give you relief. I have specialized training and expertise in three forms of treatment: psychodynamic psychotherapy (also called psychoanalytic therapy), cognitive behavioral therapy and family/marital counseling. The treatment method we choose is based on what best suits your presenting issues and interests.
Below is a brief description of my specialty methods of psychotherapy.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Individual psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy helps you find relief from emotional pain by talking about your feelings, beliefs and conflicts. We discuss your present experiences, thoughts and feelings as well as those from your past. We identify patterns, understand unconscious motivations, and work towards resolving conflicts and emotional distress.
We talk face to face in psychodynamic therapy and meet at least once a week. Session frequency can increase to 2-3 times weekly should you want to intensify your therapeutic experience or need more support.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral treatment is a therapeutic approach aimed to influence unwanted emotions, behaviors and beliefs. It is based on the idea that it is our thoughts that cause feelings and behavior, not the events or people external to us. I will help you understand the important role thinking plays in how we feel and then in turn how it can influence our actions. I can help you set goals to make changes in your thoughts and then change unwanted or non-productive behaviors.
This form of treatment is more structured and directive than psychodynamic therapy and is intended to remove specific symptoms. It can be used alone or with psychodynamic therapy as needed. It works well for problems such as stress management, anxiety, panic attacks, fears, physical pain, insomnia, chronic fatigue, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADD/ADHD.
Family/Marital Therapy
Family therapy involves the families in the solution of the problems instead of just the individual. That means that we might have sessions together with parents and children. Sometimes it means the extended family members are involved as well. We can address many different kinds of problems in family therapy.
Marital therapy addresses the intimate relationship between two people. I help each couple look at their patterns of behaving and interacting. We look at what enhances or hinders their relationship and work towards making necessary changes.