 |
|
|
|
Offering Individual Adult Psychotherapy
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Clients are often nervous about what to expect from therapy, particularly if they have never met a psychologist or have been in therapy before. At the initial session, my goal is for us to meet and get to know each other a bit. I will ask questions about your concerns and about what you hope to gain from therapy. I will also ask questions about your life and family history, medical issues and medications, education and work history. This is also your opportunity to ask questions of me. I welcome these questions and will do my best to address any inquiries you may have about my education, experience, or background.
Clients often inquire about the type of therapy I offer. There are a number of therapeutic approaches, styles, and techniques. As a generalist, I tend to draw from several therapy orientations and often combine approaches according to the needs or desires of the Client. Four of these therapeutic orientations are listed below.
Cognitive behavioral therapy emphasizes the importance of identifying and changing maladaptive automatic thought patterns, belief systems, and behaviors that may be contributing to current problems. This approach tends to be more directive and structured in nature, with the therapist taking an active, collaborative role with the client and often providing homework assignments or suggested readings. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been demonstrated by research to be highly effective for a number of psychological problems.
Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behavior. This includes a focus on emotional and behavioral patterns that cause difficulty and repeat themselves in important relationships. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are a client’s growing self-awareness of these patterns as well as an understanding of how the past can influence present behavior.
I also take a Humanistic approach to therapy. This means that I hold a hopeful, constructive view of human beings and the individual’s substantial capacity to be self-determining. Humanistic therapists believe that people have natural motivational tendencies toward growth, health, and fulfillment and tend to focus more on what clients are experiencing in the present.
Perhaps most importantly, my approach to therapy is very collaborative. A major goal is to develop a strong therapeutic alliance, for research has demonstrated time and time again that it is the relationship between the client and therapist that is of primary importance in facilitating meaningful and positive life changes. I will work actively with you and often solicit your input and comments. Together, we may agree on a set number of therapy sessions, with a limited list of treatment goals. Alternately, we may agree together that your issues are best served by a more flexible and dynamic approach, which would allow for therapy to continue until you feel no further need to do so and/or we together determine that you are ready to discontinue; but please note that this option may be limited by your particular insurance coverage or financial means. In any case, I will do my best to work in tandem with you to have a satisfactory and fulfilling therapy experience and to achieve your specific needs and treatment goals.
|
|
|
| ©2012 by TherapySites.com. All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
