What therapeutic approach do you take in treatment?

I strongly believe that you should feel comfortable with the therapist you choose and hopeful about the therapy experience. When you feel this way, therapy is more likely to be most helpful to you. Let me describe how I see therapy.

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My theoretical approach is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This approach tends to be a practical, goal-oriented, short term model of treatment. Its primary focus is on changing the way you think, feel, and behave.

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The most central idea of my work is to assist you in creating a healthier mindset, as ultimately the way you think leads to the way you feel and behave. One way that I accomplish this is by taking an educational approach. What I mean, is that I will teach you and equip you with the tools and skills you need so you can continue your growth journey even after we end treatment.

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In regards to note taking during session, I try to keep that to a minimum except for the intake session, our very first session. I usually take notes during our intake session, as there is a lot to cover and I want to make sure I get everything down accurate. You may find it useful to take your own notes, to remember important points or the steps you plan to take.

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By the end of our first or second session, I will tell you how I see your case at this point and how I think we should proceed. I view therapy as a partnership between us. You define the problem areas to be worked on; I use my specialized knowledge to help you make the changes you want to make. Therapy is not like visiting a medical doctor for a shot. It requires your very active involvement. It requires your best efforts to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For example, I will expect you to tell me about important experiences, what they meant to you, and what strong feelings were involved. This is one of the ways you are an active participant in your therapy session.

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I expect us to plan our work together. In our treatment plan, we will list the areas to work on, our goals, the methods we will use, the time and money commitments we will make, and some other things. I expect us to agree on a plan that we will both work hard to follow. From time to time, we will look together at our progress and goals. If we think we need to, we can then change our treatment plan, its goals, or its methods.

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An important part of your therapy experience will be practicing new skills that you will learn in our sessions. I will ask you to practice outside our meetings, and we will work together to set up homework assignments for you. I might ask you to do exercises, keep records, and read to deepen your understanding. You will probably have to work on relationships in your life and make long-term efforts to get the best results. These are important parts of personal change. Change will sometimes be easy and quick, but more often it will be slow and difficult and will need repetitions, and so you will need to keep trying. There are no miracle cures. I cannot promise that your behavior or circumstance will change. I can promise to support you and do my very best to understand you and repeating patterns, as well as to help you clarify what it is that you want for yourself.