Psychotherapy
As we begin to understand our problems we may also see them in a different light. And because a quick, check-list approach to diagnosis is only a beginning, our approach to diagnosis is guided by caution, a deeper understanding, and often requires longer periods of time for reflection. We will spend several sessions with you and together evolve an understanding of your concerns. After our evaluation, we will offer suggestions for the best approach and the best therapy (individual, couple, family, parent and school consultation). Finally, evaluation, like therapy, requires a trusting relationship, grounded in our capacity for careful listening: this is a kind of attention defined not by listening for (if we listen for, we’ll hear what we expect to hear) but by our capacity to listen to.
Sometimes we seek therapists based on our demographics--age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or social class. Although our social demographics and identities surely influence therapy, research shows that professionally trained psychotherapists know how and why our differences matter in psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy is most effective when conducted in a spaces that are predictable, comfortable, quite, and safe; these are holding environments. And while we look forward to returning to our offices, where we believe the best therapy takes place, we do not want to jeopardize your safety, nor ours, so we will follow the CDC guidelines for office safety (See the CDC's Covid-19 guidelines). We have a safety protocol for in-person therapy (download guidelines here).
Often we seek therapy for reasons having nothing to do with mental illness: many seek therapy for the problems of everyday living, existential problems, everyday sadness, everyday anxiety. Below you will find videos describing our approach to therapy, philosophy, and our services, and how we understand the many reasons that we seek help. Find our psychotherapy registration and consent forms here.