Adult Psychotherapy
People seek psychotherapy for a variety of reasons both large and small, situational and long-standing, some related to their particular stage of life, and sometimes for a combination of reasons. Despite a desire to get help, it is not uncommon for a person to feel unsettled or worried about seeking psychotherapy, sometimes fearful of discussing very private thoughts and feelings with a stranger, and sometimes from a fear they will find out something unknown or concerning about themselves. As your therapist, I will do my best to explain the psychotherapy process, address any concerns that you might have, and help you feel more comfortable in engaging in the process. Often people feel some initial relief from just coming in and talking about their worries and concerns with someone trained and outside their social orbit.
Although intended to provide relief, at times the psychotherapy process can bring up uncomfortable feelings and reactions such as anxiety, sadness, and anger. This can be a normal response to working through unresolved life experiences. My aim is to listen without judgment and to help you identify patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating that may be causing problems for you. I will work with you to get through any difficult times.
The first several sessions are usually devoted to my trying to assess and clarify the nature of the problem/s that brings you to treatment, and to get to know you as a person so that I can develop an understanding of your concerns within the context of your life, and then formulate an idea of how you and I might work together. This initial period will also give you a chance to become acquainted with my style and approach. In addition to helping you to find some relief from the problems that caused you to seek treatment, my job is to work to help you understand yourself better, and in the best case to make changes to life-long patterns that may impede your growth.
Often the diificulties that motivate people to seek psychotherapy develop over time. Likewise, psychotherapy designed to address these problems can take a period of time. Sometimes therapy may undercover unanticipated areas that are problematic for you. The therapy process will sometimes be short and sometimes longer, depending upon your particular situation. Ultimately it will be your decision how long you stay. Discussing your decision-making around ending psychotherapy can often be a helpful process in and of itself.
Although intended to provide relief, at times the psychotherapy process can bring up uncomfortable feelings and reactions such as anxiety, sadness, and anger. This can be a normal response to working through unresolved life experiences. My aim is to listen without judgment and to help you identify patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating that may be causing problems for you. I will work with you to get through any difficult times.
The first several sessions are usually devoted to my trying to assess and clarify the nature of the problem/s that brings you to treatment, and to get to know you as a person so that I can develop an understanding of your concerns within the context of your life, and then formulate an idea of how you and I might work together. This initial period will also give you a chance to become acquainted with my style and approach. In addition to helping you to find some relief from the problems that caused you to seek treatment, my job is to work to help you understand yourself better, and in the best case to make changes to life-long patterns that may impede your growth.
Often the diificulties that motivate people to seek psychotherapy develop over time. Likewise, psychotherapy designed to address these problems can take a period of time. Sometimes therapy may undercover unanticipated areas that are problematic for you. The therapy process will sometimes be short and sometimes longer, depending upon your particular situation. Ultimately it will be your decision how long you stay. Discussing your decision-making around ending psychotherapy can often be a helpful process in and of itself.
