Therapy Sessions focus on exploring the history of the issues which brought you to seek help. Then goals you want to achieve are developed and a plan of action evolves to help you succeed in your journey. A therapeutic hour lasts 45-50 minutes with the remainder of the hour used to complete the paperwork and billing required by your insurance for payment of services rendered.

I employ a cognitive behavioral (sometimes called CBT) strengths-based approach that explores what is interfering with your peace of mind and daily functioning. Typical therapeutic interventions may include:

v     Listening, supporting and sometimes respectfully challenging your thoughts & beliefs that are contributing to your distress

 

v     Psycho-education regarding the relationship between the physical body and mental health

 

v     Suggestions of community resources or reading material that applies to your circumstance

 

v     Assignments to be completed between sessions to encourage achievement of your personal goals

 

v     For children: use of therapeutic stories, art therapy techniques to promote feeling expression and/or sand tray therapy

You may wonder what to expect in terms of the outcome of therapy. Common experiences include:  

Problem identification and resolution: Clarifying the obstacles to happiness and developing a plan to utilize personal strengths to achieve a more balanced approach to living

 Skills development: stress management, anger management, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, time management, parenting approaches, communication skills and coping strategies

Community Resource Involvement: identifying and utilizing community resources such as schools, physicians, spiritual communities and social supports

Relapse prevention planning: acknowledging behavior patterns and triggers, reducing stressors, creating alternate courses of action to promote growth and change