Therapy
Therapy, in plain English.
Most of us have been told to “think positive” or “just stop worrying.” If that worked, you probably wouldn’t be here.
My approach
Therapy that starts with listening
I try to bring therapy into every visit, including medication visits. If you want more time for it, I also offer focused therapy sessions.
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Clarity
Talking things through with someone who listens closely can help you see your situation more clearly.
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Goals together
We set a few goals at your first visit and check in on them as we go.
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Your pace
I don’t push an agenda, because pressure tends to backfire. I act more like a coach, and we move at your pace.
Finding more meaning, healing from past trauma or loss, or simply hurting and needing someone to listen: all of it is reason enough to be here.
Core approach
ACT, a practical guide to your mind
Our minds were built for survival, not happiness. They scan for threats, so we end up worrying about things that never happen and feeling like we don’t measure up.
That doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It’s how minds work.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, said like the word “act”) was developed by psychologist Steven Hayes and colleagues in the 1980s. It has robust research support for a wide range of problems.
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Accept what you feel
It teaches you to let hard thoughts and feelings be there, without fighting them or letting them steer.
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Move toward what matters
It helps you move toward what matters to you.
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Change your relationship with thoughts
Traditional CBT works on changing your thoughts, while ACT changes your relationship with them.
In the room
What a session is like
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Your first session
The first session is about getting set up. We go through your medical and psychiatric history in detail, I hear your story, and we talk through treatment options, including medication if it fits. We also see whether we’re a good fit.
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A quick medication check
Later therapy sessions begin with a quick medication check, if you take a psychiatric medication.
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Working on your goals
Most of the time goes to your treatment goals. My aim is to listen closely and help you see your situation more clearly. I borrow ideas from several kinds of therapy, including ACT, CBT, and motivational interviewing.
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How we wrap up
At the end, I ask you to sum up in your own words: what you got from the session, what you want to think about or work on before we meet again, and what you’d like to cover next time.
Finding the right fit
It should feel like a good match
Research shows that rapport with your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of how well therapy works.
If someone else would suit you better, it’s fine to choose a different therapist, and it won’t be awkward.
Ready to get started?
Click the button or give the office a call. My office manager will help you get scheduled.