Psychotherapy, Counseling and Coaching:
Treatment specialization includes
- Sex Addiction and Internet Pornography
- Sexual Health Coaching & Intimacy Therapy
- Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation and Treatment
- Addiction Treatment (alcohol and drugs of abuse)
- Work and Career issues and transitions
- Health Coaching (weight loss and anger management, sleep disorders, chronic pain)
- Depression
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Relationship Conflict and Divorce
Psychotherapy refers to intensive and sometimes prolonged work focusing on lifelong difficulties or traumas that have signficiantly impacted your life and ability to cope. Counseling tends to be more short-term and often focuses on adjustment difficulties that are encountered as we go through life. Coaching is a subset of counseling and emphasizes goals rather than problems and can be done over the phone. Each of these modalities can be incorporated into our sessions and it is not uncommon for each to be included in our work together.
You will find that our sessions are pragmatic and combine insight with learning new approaches to facilitate change. Short-term solution-focused therapy that emphasizes cognitive change to help you move quickly toward your goals is the way that I would characterize my style of treatment, yet I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual's specific needs. I have extensive experience working within the medical setting and can assist you with the necessary coordination of care with your other providers.
Is consulting with a psychologist right for me?
Seeking out psychological treatment is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people seek behavioral health treatment. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, such as problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many people seek the advice of psychologists as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. With life continually presenting challenges and often being highly stressful, it is quite common for high functioning individuals to pursue counseling or coaching concerning some realm of their life that can be particularly challenging or problematic. I provide counseling to help address many life challenges besides the above specialty areas including conflict/anger management, assertiveness training, stress management, body-image issues and general life transitions. Counseling is right for anyone who is interested in achieving improved problem solving and enhanced quality of life.
Coaching: Through the MentorCoach American Psychological Association Program I have obtained specialized training enabling me to work with you on a coaching basis as well, which can be arranged after hours by phone and can be discussed in advance as an option to in-office appointments. This is an ideal choice for those who prefer not to travel to my office. Through coaching you can receive services from the comfort of your home or office, or even while away on a business trip.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced on your own, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you really need it. In fact, counseling or coaching is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize when they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change something that is causing unhappiness or interfering with success. Therapy, counseling and coaching all provide long-lasting benefits, giving you the tools you need to help you overcome whatever challenges you may face in the future.
Benefits of therapy, counseling and coaching may include:
- Improved productivity at work or in school
- Developing skills for enhancing your relationships
- Overcoming addictive and harmful behaviors
- Learning healthier ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional difficulties
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Increasing your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What are the appointments like?
Every treatment session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. I will take the time to listen carefully to you and we will discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life. I draw from many therapy perspectives but as noted above, often utilize a cognitive-behavioral and problem solving skills approach where each session lasts fifty minutes. Counseling or therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions between sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For treatment to be most effective I ask that you be an active participant, both during and between our sessions.
Will I need medication and can you help me with that?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. As a psychologist, I do not prescribe but rather specialize in diagnosing and treating addictions and behavioral and emotional disorders. However, all licensed psychologists are required to take continuing education on pharmacotherapy (medication) for behavioral and emotional disorders and as a result, I am extremely knowledgeable concerning the various medication choices as well as the pros and cons involved in using psychiatric medications. A diagnosis is the first step in determining if medication is necessary. As a psychologist, I have expertise in diagnosis and assessment, and I will work closely with you and your physician to help determine what's best for you and assist with coordinating your care. It is well established that the long-term solution to behavioral and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely through medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, our sessions will address the underlying and maintaining causes of distress and the behavior patterns that can interfere with progress. I strongly believe that one can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.