Therapy

Psychotherapy is a solution for many different kinds of obstacles. When you are first seen we will discuss your view of what needs to change. I always accept my clients' view of the problem and engage them in finding a solution as part of a team. I will offer alternative ways of viewing the situation, and my view may be much more focussed on solutions than on the origin of the problem.

My therapy is frequently "skills based", which means that I am very active in teaching skills that address difficulties that cause depression, anxiety, and other symptoms. For example, depression is often caused in part by an inability to be assertive, and difficulty maintaining intimate relationships. As part of a treatment plan for depression, I so assertiveness training, and conflict resolution management.

While it is often important to resolve conflicts that have resulted from past experiences, I tend to encourage clients to be more focussed on the present and to view their problems as bad habits rather than chemical imbalances.

After the first session, I will provide "homework assignments" that will help you behave and communicate differently in social and work situations. Behavior change often leads to changes in how you feel and how happy you are. By giving homework assignments you are given work to do between sessions rather than only in the therapy session itself. This leads to more progress in less time (provided you are a good student and do your assignments!)

Many clients see substantial progress after 8 sessions.