About Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is the practice of talking things through with a skilled and trusted professional.  It provides a context for solving problems in one's personal life and healing emotional pain such as anxiety, depression, grief, guilt and trauma.  For all who seek therapy, there is a desire to grow coupled with the courage to change.  Inevitably, there are times when we lose our way, make mistakes or flounder in doubts about our own abilities. A skilled therapist understands and can help us to find solutions to problems and relief from pain in a nonjudgmental atmosphere.  Life is a journey without end.  Learning to foster our strengths and nurture a sense of well being and peace that persists in the face of all challenges is an important and vital task.

People often want to know what type of therapy is best for them and some of the most common types of therapy that I specialize in are Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, systematic desensitization and mind-body therapies such as Somatic Experiencing.  I regard myself as holistic and transpersonal in my approach as a therapist and tailor the work we do to your needs as an individual.  I am also very partial to utilizing the newly emerging brain research to refine my techniques and provide the most effective treatment strategies.  Sessions are face-to-face in the office for 45 to 50 minutes, although occasionally we may have a session by telephone or with Skype.

The length of therapy will vary with the nature of the problem.  A problem that is limited in scope such as fear of flying or the death of a loved one can often be resolved in as little as 6 sessions.  When we deal with problems that are more complex, changes need to be made gradually and in small increments so that the changes will be stable and in harmony will all aspects of one's life.  A good rule of thumb is around six months to make significant progress.

It is also important that you feel comfortable working with me and that I am a good match for you.  To explore this, I invite you to schedule a free half-hour session with me over the phone.  You can make an appointment by clicking on "make an appointment" and selecting the "free initial consult" option.

You may want to end therapy when your distress is greatly diminished and you have found successful ways to take care of yourself.  At this time you may choose to transition into Wellness Coaching to continue your journey of self discovery and self actualization.