Psychotherapy 

I have studied and been influenced by various theories of psychology including cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic theory; but I thought it more useful to give some perspective on how I work.  

During the initial evaluation sessions I listen to the concerns that prompted you to seek psychotherapy. I learn about you, your background, and your current situation. I provide feedback and help to facilitate your thought process in clarifying what you would like to achieve and how we will work to reach your objectives. After we formulate a direction we move into the "working through" phase, the everyday work of psychotherapy. As therapy proceeds, presenting concerns may be worked through and therapy may wind down or goals may shift or be reevaluated. It's a fluid process and attention is paid to how you want to utilize therapy and ultimately what your objectives are for psychotherapy.  

Listening attentively is crucial for me to gain a greater understanding of you and your concerns. What you choose to say and don't say, how you say it, your choice of words, the emotion behind your words all help to bring concerns to the fore, clarify and promote insight. At times I can be active in trying to fully understand something, or giving feedback, or providing a professional perspective. I don't like to think of therapy as advice-giving as its always important to stay within my patient's perspectives, beliefs and emotions. I prefer to explore, ask questions, and piece together what is brought to the fore.  

The past is important in understanding your personality, emotional style, thought process and behavior tendencies. We will spend more time exploring past events when it significantly interferes with the present such as in the case of trauma, upheavals in childhood, and significant past relationship issues. It is in the present where we experience and act. This "dynamic present" provides psychotherapy the opportunity to facilitate you to develop more resilience, shift perspectives, channel emotions and learn new ways to act, all of which promote lasting change. It's one thing to say that I could have acted differently in the past; it's another thing to do it in the present. Often we may revert back to old ways of thinking and acting; and it takes time, vigilance and effort to shift, adjust and change. This is what we think of as "working through," a series of stops and starts, and progressions and regressions until we get to the other side of an issue.   

Psychotherapy calls for an active effort on your part to achieve the best results, both during our sessions and at home.  Outside of our sessions, you are encouraged to think about things we discuss that may lead to further insight, gauge your feelings, and observe how you cope and act in various situations.  Some patients write things down, recall dreams, and think about what they would like to explore during their next session.  

Your presenting concerns determine the structure of therapy. Typically I meet with patients once a week for 45 minutes. These weekly sessions help to create momentum to therapy.  More immediate problems may require a greater frequency of sessions until the crisis stabilizes.  Additionally, I find that progress can be made in biweekly sessions. Maintenance sessions can be monthly or more.