My Treatment Approach
I use an eclectic approach to therapy fitting the theoretical perspective to meet the client’s needs. In other words, I use a broad range of approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused, Psychodynamic, Family Systems, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
For instance, I work from a psychodynamic perspective to achieve in-depth understanding of the self by examining childhood experiences to gain insight for present day emotional growth. The person that we become is very much shaped by childhood experiences and the environment in which we were raised. All these factors play a part in who we are today and how we form relationships with others. Understanding more about ourselves helps us develop better and more fulfilling relationships.
For more immediate results I will use a brief therapy approach such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) or Solution Focused Therapy. These approaches can help people who are suffering from depression, anxiety (including phobias and performance anxiety), single incident trauma or other challenging life events to quickly get back on the road to leading a fully functional life.
To help struggling families I will work from a Family Systems approach. For instance, I may be called upon to help a rebellious teenager. However, oftentimes the problematic teenager is a symptom of a family that is not operating in a way that promotes a positive family environment. I help families to rebalance that interaction by teaching families to communicate better, to listen to different points of view and to help parents provide a healthy environment that enables adolescents to develop autonomy. Whatever the therapeutic approach, I like to collaborate fully with my clients to develop a plan to help them achieve their treatment goals.