Psychotherapy

Adult

During the first meeting, I gather background information and explore the client's reasons for seeking therapy. Together, we discuss what changes the client hopes to make and how therapy could help accomplish these goals. During this session, the client also has the opportunity to see whether my therapeutic style is a good fit for him or her. My approach to therapy is interactive and supportive, as I listen carefully to the client's thoughts and feelings and provide feedback with the aim of increasing self-awareness to help promote change. My treatment philosophy is that past experiences, particularly within the family, strongly influence an individual's current strengths and areas of concern. As such, we may explore relevant areas from the past in order to gain insight into patterns that affect one's present life. However, the main focus is kept on current concerns, and more directive interventions may be integrated into our work as well.

Some clients feel satisfied with improvements within a few to several sessions, while other clients remain in therapy for a much longer period of time in order to more comprehensively address their issues. Most clients attend sessions on a weekly basis. However, some individuals attend therapy more or less frequently depending on their treatment goals and needs.

Adolescent

Some adolescents initiate therapy because they are dissatisfied with some aspect of their lives and would like to make changes. Others are referred because of parent or teacher concerns about their mood, behavior, or social life. Therapy is generally focused on helping teens understand themselves as much as possible in order to facilitate healthy development and decision-making as they negotiate the challenges of adolescence. This can result in improved mood, self-esteem, relationships, and judgment.

I start the counseling process by conducting an initial assessment that involves at least one meeting with the adolescent in order to gain his or her perspective, and a separate meeting with parents in order to gather background information. The assessment sometimes includes a meeting with the parents and the teen together. I then provide feedback about my initial clinical impressions and suggestions for treatment. Issues involving confidentiality are also discussed and agreed upon, since it is important that adolescents and parents know that therapy sessions are private, with a few exceptions. Family therapy or parent meetings are sometimes recommended as well.