Individual Therapy

Currently, I see a limited number of individual clients, usually former clients who return for a tune-up or in some cases I see new individual clients around relational issues.

Part of my earlier post graduate training was in cognitive behavioral therapy at the Beck Institute in Philadelphia and later becoming certified in cognitive behavior therapy by The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.

I have extensive clinical training and experience treating anxiety, depression, substance use, addiction, adolescents, family relationships and challenges.

Individual Therapy

Individual Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy, is a collaborative process between therapist and client that aims to facilitate change and improve quality of life.

“We would rather be ruined than changed, we would rather die in our dread, than climb the cross of the moment, and let our illusions die.” W. H. AUDEN

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an umbrella that utilizes a variety of cognitive and behavioral techniques. It works with problem-solving approaches borrowed from many psychotherapeutic modalities. They include dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), gestalt therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing.

Often, we take one kernel of truth about a problem or situation, and CBT helps you see more of the whole story.

CBT helps clients change unhelpful thinking and behavior, and this can lead to enduring improvement in mood, anxiety, and overall functioning.

CBT concepts include:

Cognitive formulation – the beliefs and behavioral problems that characterize a specific problem or issue.
Conceptualization – understanding your specific beliefs or patterns of behavior and thinking – the way you perceive a situation is more closely connected to your reaction than the situation itself.
Automatic thoughts – ideas that seem to pop up in your mind.

How does CBT work?

Collaborative: You will work together with me to understand the problem, define your goals and develop the best treatment plan.
Active: During and between sessions you will practice skills and gain mastery over your problem(s).
Objective: We will use questionnaires on a regular basis to monitor the improvement of your symptoms.
Effective: Usually you can experience meaningful and lasting change in a relatively few numbers of sessions.

How CBT is different?

Pragmatic – it helps identify specific problems and tries to solve them.
Highly structured – rather than talking freely about your life, you and your therapist discuss specific problems and set goals for you to achieve.
Focused on current problems – it’s mainly concerned with how you think and act now rather than attempting to resolve past issues.
Collaborative – your therapist won’t tell you what to do; you’ll work with your therapist to find solutions to your current difficulties.

Experience

Practicing psychotherapy since 1992.
Post-graduate training Beck Institute.
Certified Cognitive behavior Therapy by the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.

Many times, taking a step forward toward change is unsettling and involves an element of uncertainty. We will start with an initial phone consultation to get some more background information and answer any questions you may have prior to the meeting. If this conversation or later encounters reveal that I am not the right person to help you, there is a good chance I could refer you to someone more appropriate.