How I Work

There are a number of approaches to therapy, and you may have heard of some of them. Insight-oriented therapies intend to help clients explore their own mental and emotional inner workings, and in so doing, clients learn where to make changes. Person-centered therapies involve using a professional and empathic, supportive relationship to help clients identify opportunities for growth, while also focusing on client strengths and avoiding direct advice.

For most of my career, I have focused on cognitive therapies, which recognize a connection between the mind and body, as well as links between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Much of our psychological experience is automatic. For example, our emotions often seem to arrive suddenly and unbidden, and our behavior can be so habitual that we can perform many actions without concentrating (for example, riding a bike or using a keyboard). However, we do have the ability to control our thinking. Cognitive psychologists help clients to pay attention to their thoughts and to question those thoughts.

That being said, I DO believe in the value of getting to know my clients thoroughly and learning about their stories, their past experiences and background, and how they have come to view themselves.  Seeing where you have been will allow me to better understand the ways in which you are stuck and how to help you get better traction.  Gaining insight into your life will also allow me to build better empathy for your challenges.

I also believe in empowering my clients, which is consistent with person-centered therapies.  Whether you are ready to admit it or not, I believe very firmly that you have strengths.  Therapy with me would be a partnership, because I would rely on your growing expertise about yourself and your own preferences.  We can work together to identify, examine, and leverage your strengths to help you feel better. Heroes on quests often learn about their unique qualities and talents along the way.  Let's find out more about yours so that you can become your own hero.

Therapy can take on different properties for different clients.  Sometimes it is very structured and organized, and yet sometimes it is very dynamic and free flowing.  It can involve coaching or it can entail just listening while you lay out and organize all of your thoughts and feelings in front of you.  Therapy can be short in duration or long-term.  It could be very outcome-oriented, as you achieve new coping skills, or it could be very process-oriented, as you explore and give voice to yourself.  For some clients, therapy can include all of these properties at different times during the healing process.  Part of my job is to collaborate with you to identify your needs and to identify the best path for us to take at each moment.