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The decision to begin psychotherapy is a significant commitment to yourself. People often consult with me about long-standing difficulties in relationships or work situations, or else they present symptoms including anxiety and depression related to physical illness, work stress, or childhood abuse. They may have already identified “the problem”—either on their own or in previous therapy—but have not been able to successfully make lasting changes in their thoughts, feelings and behavior.
After contacting me for an appointment, we will meet for an initial evaluation period of one or more sessions to determine if we are a good fit for one another. During this time, I will ask questions about your current situation as well as about pertinent past history to help me form an opinion as to whether my experience and training will fit your particular needs. At the end of the evaluation period, we will decide together in which direction to continue. If it doesn’t appear to me that I can be of assistance to you, I will refer you to one or more colleagues who may be more appropriate.
How frequently we meet will depend on a variety of factors and will be open to discussion and negotiation. In my clinical experience, seeing people less frequently than one time per week is insufficient for work on a deep enough level to support the desired changes. Once we decide to work together and find convenient appointment times, this schedule will be consistently held for you, providing a sense of predictability and safety in our work together.
I believe that effective treatment requires a collaboration between patient and therapist. For you, it means a commitment to invest time, money, and effort in working towards personal change. In order to meet your treatment goals, it is essential that you communicate honestly and participate actively in therapy and that I respond to your therapeutic concerns as fully as I can.
My areas of expertise include:
- Relationship and intimacy problems
- Dissatisfaction with career/work
- Life transitions and decision making
- Loss and mourning
- Chronic anxiety and stress
- Social isolation and poor self-esteem
- Coping with serious illness
- Overcoming the effects of abuse and trauma
