I prefer to take a practical approach to my work. After an initial consultation, I gather a thorough history from patients. Then together, we develop a treatment plan in which we identify the issues to be addressed, therapeutic goals, and useful strategies. The therapeutic process is a collaborative one and I believe it is most successful when both the therapist and patient participate together. My style is to be interactive and involved, unlike the image that many people have of psychotherapists who simply sit back and listen.
I typically utilize a cognitive behavioral approach in my work with people. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that has been proven to be effective for a variety of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital issues, and severe mental illness. Research has demonstrated that CBT often yields significant improvement in functioning and quality of life.
CBT is based on several core principles, including:
Psychological problems are often based on nonsensical or faulty thought processes.
Psychological problems are often based on learned patterns of maladaptive behavior.
People suffering from these problems can learn improved coping strategies which will relieve their symptoms and help them to function more effectively.
CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change faulty thought processes. Techniques include:
Recognizing distorted thinking that creates problems, and then re-evaluating these thoughts in a manner that is based in reality.
Gaining better insight into the behaviors and motivation of others.
Using improved problem-solving skills to better cope with difficult situations.
Learning ways to develop improved confidence in one's own abilities.
CBT treatment also usually involves efforts to change maladaptive behaviors. These strategies include:
Facing one's fears and going on the offense, rather than utilizing avoidance and taking a defensive posture.
Utilizing role play in an attempt to prevent problematic interactions with others.
Identifying ways to calm one's mind and relax one's body by incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
As stated before, my approach is to utilize a collaborative effort with patients as we attempt to develop a clearer understanding of the problems that brought them into therapy and to then develop a treatment strategy together. CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals develop skills, so that eventually they are self-sufficient and no longer need me to help them problem solve efficiently. People are assisted in developing coping strategies that allow them to change their own thinking, unhelpful emotions and behavior. Emphasis is placed on what is going on in the person's current life. Although a certain amount of information about one's history is needed and can be beneficial, the focus is on finding ways to develop more effective methods for coping with life’s challenges.