Practice

 

What is the Process of Therapy?

Entering therapy can bring about a great deal of relief and hope for the future, with the knowledge that that things can get better and that you are getting the support you need. Collaboration is an essential aspect of therapy, and I strive to form a strong, trusting relationship with each client.

The goal of therapy is typically to help you live your life in a way that is adaptive, fulfilling, and in line with your personal beliefs. During our first few sessions, we’ll discuss your background history, what brings you to therapy, and how you wish to benefit from therapy. I’ll work with you to outline a treatment plan that addresses your concerns, and tell you about how I work and how I will help you.

Throughout the course of therapy, we will regularly evaluate progress by discussing what is working well while also addressing any concerns that may arise. Part of my job is to challenge you to begin to implement new ways of thinking about your problems, new ways of being in relationships, and new ways of approaching patterns in your life.

There are a number of evidence-based treatment modalities that can be used for therapy. My treatment approach includes interpersonal therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and emotion-focused therapy.

Change occurs through insight as well as practical information about how to best make the changes you’re seeking. Sometimes this includes doing therapy exercises or journaling between sessions, working on building specific skills such as communication or emotional regulation.

 

Therapy with Adolescents

Despite every best effort, there are situations where a teenager may need help above and beyond what a caring parent is able to achieve. Key developmental issues common to adolescents include separation from parents, challenging authority, dating and relationships, initial experience with death or loss, identity development, launching to college, and dealing with peer pressures. Sometimes teens don’t want to talk to their parents about these issues. Often they are more receptive to talking to an outside third party, such as a counselor or psychologist.According to recent data from the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to half of U.S. children and adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for at least one mental disorders by age 18. This research came from the first nationally representative, face-to- face survey on the topic. The data, released in October 2011 by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, also showed that many of these disorders emerge early — with an average age-of-onset of 6 for anxiety disorders, 11 for behavior disorders, 13 for mood disorders and 15 for substance use disorders. The percent of youth who meet criteria for mental illness is as follows: 31% Anxiety disorders, 19% Behavior Disorders, and 14% Mood disorders. Research also supports the idea of early intervention; the sooner you treat an emerging disorder, the better the outcome.

I view my role as multifaceted. First and foremost, I work to build trust with client, and seek to understand their point of view as fully as possible. For families who want help in addressing communication barriers in the family, I will include family sessions. Communication is facilitated in a safe, structured format that works towards accomplishing shared goals. For more on communication, read my blog about How to Get Along With Your Teen: Talking, Rules and Conflict.

Lastly, I help teens to be aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We discuss specific problem areas, but also focus on strengths and increasing autonomy. Being aware of what motivates him or her, and how their feelings relate to their actions, helps teens feel in control of the decisions they make. I help teens think about their future aspirations. They may have mixed feelings about leaving home and launching to college. Some common questions for teens to start thinking about as they begin therapy include:
  • What process do I use to make decisions or choices?
  • What type of peer relationships do I have? Am I satisfied with these relationships?
  • What do I hope for myself? For my future?
  • When do I feel happiest? When am I feeling my worst?
  • What are some important events that have happened recently in my life?
  • What are my fears, my concerns?
  • What is my communication style — how do I let people know what’s on my mind?
  • If I could change things, what would I change?
Therapy is a collaborative effort. It can be hard a times and can bring up painful feelings. It involves the person being willing to discuss difficult issues. The benefits of therapy often include a new understanding of your relationship with others, clarifying your feelings and thoughts, being able to better manage difficult situations, and feeling hopeful and confident about the future.

Couples Counseling

The research shows that couples therapy positively impacts 70% of couples who recieve treatment.  Couples counseling focuses on re-connecting with your partner and learning new ways of approaching one another emotionally. We navigate the difficult stages of long term relationships, which may include different relationship expectations, growing distant, increasing arguments or irritability, intimacy issues, parenting, work stress, problems with in-laws or extended family, and life-stage changes. Most couples say they want to increase their sense of cohesiveness and they also have specific areas they know they would like to address in therapy.

The first few sessions of couples therapy will focus on gathering relationship history and setting goals together. During therapy, we will explore your relationship dynamics and communication style, your family histories, your style of showing love and affection to one another, and work to strengthen your bond together through connecting emotionally. Using Emotion-Focused Therapy, couples learn to express the underlying feelings that so often accompany anger, coldness and distance.  Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, you will learn the practical skills of mindfulness and acceptance as it applies to you and your partner’s relationship. My role is to help both of you understand your relationship dynamic together and offer my guidance in how to navigate difficult issues in a new way. I have a great deal of respect for couples who are willing to come into counseling and address problems that are hurting their relationship with one another. Couples counseling can have a profound, lasting impact on your relationship.

 

Pre-Marital Counseling

Premarital counseling focuses on building the strengths of your relationship, discussing relationship patterns and dynamics, values and future aspirations, and setting the foundation for a strong marriage. I provide an accepting therapeutic environment for you and your partner to explore your relationship. Common issues discussed in pre-marital therapy include talking about views on money, sex, religion, kids, divorce and work/life balance. The next step is taking a deeper look at your life and future with your partner. I often hear couples talk about growing apart, moving in different directions, misplaced dreams, and difficulties from the past that keep returning. The way to have a successful marriage is to stay emotionally connected with your partner. In order to do that, couples can learn how to tune into their own emotions, as well as their partners emotional needs.

As you enter into married life with one another, it is helpful to explore the answers to these questions together:

1. What are your goals and dreams for the future together? What are your individual goals you’d like to accomplish?

2. How does each partner deal with conflict? Do they want to talk it out? Do they need space? How should you let them know what you need? What do you find supportive? How do you each recover from a fight? The goal is to explore ways to stay emotionally connected despite the arguments or differences of opinion you will encounter.

3. What do you love about your partner? Is it the way they make you feel about yourself? Give you confidence? Make you feel supported, treasured, excited? What sets them apart from anyone else you’ve known? It’s essential to practice showing gratitude and appreciation for your partner.

4. Why do you want to get married? What is your idea of what a marriage should entail?

5. What issues from your past should you be aware of? How do these issues impact your feelings about yourself and your relationship with your partner?

For the most successful outcome, couples will work together on their relationship beyond the time spent in our sessions.  I will give you guidance on how to extend the benefits of therapy and how to stay connected outside of your sessions.

 

 

Therapy Fees

Sessions are typically held once a week. For couples, I recommend a 75 or 90 minute session. We may modify how often we meet according to your needs.

55 minute session: $160

75 minute session: $200

90 minute session: $240

Payment in full is due at the beginning of the session. You may pay me directly by cash or check.

Managed Care and Insurance Panels

After careful consideration, I made the decision not to be a provider for any managed care programs. Being a provider would mean that I would be employed by the insurance company instead of working directly (and privately) for you.

Many clients prefer to work with a therapist outside of their insurance plans for a variety of reasons, such as:

  • You hold a greater degree of privacy and confidentiality, since I am not required to share a great deal of your personal information with the insurance companies.
  • We are not limited to a pre-set number of sessions or certain treatment protocols that are determined by the insurance companies in order to control their costs.
  • By working privately with me, we can decide together on the methods we will use and the length of time we will work together, rather than having these decisions made by a third party.

Out of Network Insurance

You may call your insurance provider to determine if they will work with me as an out of network provider. Upon request, I will provide you with a monthly statement, which you can submit to your insurance company. If you are permitted by your plan to work with me out of your network, you will receive reimbursement according to your plan’s provisions. When you call your provider, the following questions are a helpful guide:

  • Does my plan include mental health insurance benefits?
  • What is my deductible and has it been met?
  • How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?
  • What are my out-of-network benefits?