What is therapy?

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, is a form of treatment to relieve distress and increase insight. Therapy can be provided by a variety of professionals—psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and licensed counselors. Therapists’ provide a caring, non-judgmental and confidential environment where individuals are encouraged to explore feelings, behaviors and thoughts to increase problem-solving skills or achieve higher levels of functioning and insight. Clients are encouraged to set personal goals and work towards desired change. The therapist’s job is primarily to listen and to gently guide people into looking at situations differently or adopting new skills to help them to resolve their concerns. Therapists utilize a variety of methods based on communication, discussion, experiential relationship building and performance—all of which have the intention to improve the mental health of a client and to enhance relationships.

Therapeutic Approach

My style is flexible and collaborative working with clients to develop greater understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the patterns that are contributing to their dissatisfaction or distress. I think it is important to provide people with tools to improve self-care, decrease stress, and feel more in control as they work toward positive change.

I approach therapy from an empathic, non-judgmental and supportive stance that encourages a collaborative relationship between client and therapist. The needs of my clients dictate the specific approach or skills I utilize, but I draw from a variety of theoretical orientations, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and relational.