Your decision to Begin Counseling and Therapy
The decision to start therapy is a big step and I understand that it is both liberating and frightening. If this is your first time, you may be afraid of the unknown, or feel a sense of failure at being unable "to solve your own problems". If you have had previous experience with therapy and it was unsuccessful or if you had mixed results, you may feel ambivalent to start again. These feelings are very common and understandable and we can address your concerns as we begin.
Typically, the issues that bring people into counseling include depression, anxiety, relationship problems, life transition or a crisis, stress with finances and/or work problems. Sometimes there is a combination of these issues.
My Approach to individual Counseling and Therapy
I assess each individual situation and design a unique treatment plan with specific goals which we will evaluate from time to time. Therapy will proceed at the pace with which you are comfortable. Counseling is a collaboration which evolves out of our relationship, goals, and the issues involved.
I have had extensive training and use 3 main approaches to understanding and working with my patients. They are: Psychodynamic Therapies, Cognitive Behavioral and Schema Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). In therapy we'll utilize these modalities simultaneously (when appropriate) to counsel your individual needs.
Psychodynamic Therapies
are based on Freudian theories which focus on understanding the human condition in terms of connection between childhood and adulthood with major focus on personal history, conscious and unconscious processes, instinctual drives, interpretation of dreams, etc.Cognitive Behavioral and Schema Therapy
are based on the idea that one's experience of reality is connected to basic beliefs which in turn are based on interpretation and understanding of our past and present experiences and what we have learned. Basic beliefs and thoughts serve as the filter through which all life is experienced. Understanding, examining and sometimes challenging these tenets directly effects how we feel and cope with life.EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
is a therapy which has been around for more than 10 years, is helpful to a wide range of clients. EMDR is useful to treat severe abuse traumas as well as common traumas such as break-ups, disappointments, any upsetting experiences. It is extremely healing with fearful, angry, hurt, anxious clients. It has applications to many different problems and offers a relatively fast relief. EMDR is a treatment which involves integrating patterned eye movement or other forms of bilateral stimulation such as alternating tapping on the knees and talk therapy to remove or clear emotional, cognitive and physical blockages.TYPICAL REASONS FOR STARTING THERAPY / COUNSELING:
Depression With multiple causes, including trauma, loss, disappointment, failure, genetic/biological connections, it is not surprising that almost everyone feels depressed at some point in life, whether mild or severe. Through therapy, together, we can explore and identify the causes and overcome the symptoms, which can include sadness, hopelessness, lack of joy and desire.
Anxiety Are you plagued with fear, trepidation, shakiness, racing heart beat, and impending doom? Probably you are having symptoms of anxiety. We can work together through counseling to understand the causes of your symptoms. I can also teach you ways to calm yourself down and overcome the fears that are driving your anxiety.
Stress Our physical and mental reaction to pressure, can take its toll on health. I understand the pressures we can feel in our daily life. During therapy sessions I can guide you towards ways to balance your life and decrease or manage the stress through a combination of psychological insight and spiritually informed techniques.
Life Transitions Changes, whether good and chosen or bad and unwanted throw us off balance. They usually trigger reactions that may or may not be applicable to the situation that is going on. Through counseling and therapy I can help you understand and adjust to whatever changes are going on in your life.