My Approaches
We’ll be doing psychotherapy, so let’s talk about what that is.
“Psychotherapy” comes from the Greek, meaning “mental healing.”
Although medicine can improve your mental health by reducing symptoms, they’re not aimed at abolishing the root cause of what ails you (e.g., depression, anxiety, AD(H)D, bipolar disorder, Asperger’s, PTSD, etc.).
On the other hand, psychotherapy does concern itself with the underlying causes of your mental health issues. It’s based on the premise that you can improve your mental health by doing the inner work needed to shift your thinking, emotions, and behavior.
A part of the psychotherapy we’ll do together also involves providing you healthy tools and techniques to improve your well-being and relationships.
Now, let me tell you more about my approach to psychotherapy…
The approaches we’ll use are evidence-based…
Evidence-based treatments have been proven effective scientifically through clinical studies. They involve six key elements…
Assessing your condition, health, and overall well-being…
What’s the diagnosis?
What do you want… what are your goals?
Using research to investigate the best treatment options for your needs…
What are the best techniques?
What tools or resources do you have at your disposal?
Discussing your treatment options to determine the best course of action…
What education do you need?
What are the best possible outcomes for your care and goals?
Applying all the knowledge at hand to develop a proper plan of action…
How shall we begin?
What do we need to do to accomplish your goals?
Implementing that plan of action…
What kind of action, practice, experimentation, or regrouping do you need?
What assignments or activities are proving successful in your journey?
Evaluating the success of the plan…
How have things been going?
What goals have and haven’t been met?
Do you need other resources?
Is it time to move on?
The work we do will be holistic…
Meaning what goes on in your mind and how your body reacts, your thoughts and beliefs, your reactions and emotions, and how you feel about your feelings. We will explore how you care for yourself. How well are you living in body, mind, and soul that may contribute to your suffering and struggles? What else affects you?
Did you know that we all express emotions differently and at varying levels? What one person considers traumatic, another considers discomfort. So many factors create the complexities of you. Your genetics, body makeup, brain development, beliefs, history, culture…. You get the idea – it all matters.
All you have experienced thus far, as well as the present and future, affect your creation. Bit by bit, one step at a time, side by side, we will explore and learn how to manage and overcome whatever might be keeping you from creating a joyful life.
The focus will always be on you, the client…
You matter. I am here to listen to you from a caring, nonjudgmental point of view.
I will point out patterns you might not be picking up on in your life, and my guidance will always be based on what you seek. And if you are uncertain, we will take the time it takes to find this pearl of great price, meaning you. You are this pearl
With a background in science, I am always researching and learning about emerging proven techniques and tools for what fits you. You are unique. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to our work. Using the scientific method of inquiry, we will tailor, modify, and find what you seek and how your world fits with purpose, clarity, and strength.
Your best fit.
As a proponent of design thinking, I will honor your history and wisdom (you have much to offer) as we gather insight into who you are, what you really want to be free from, and what you hope to gain.
You might ask, “Why do I keep doing this? Messing up relationships, picking the wrong partner, avoiding responsibilities, failing in school or work, or feeling so lonely and miserable?”
Creating hypotheses and prototypes of what you hope to become and treatment plans to get there. “How might I change this awful way of living life? What might I commit to doing differently?”
We will explore and observe as you begin to take action, try things out, be curious, share feedback and build confidence, create life-affirming habits. I am your greatest fan, and I can’t wait to cheer you on and guide you as needed.
Action begets action as you try different skills and techniques, experiment with mindset, become aware of your metacognitions-thinking about your thoughts and feelings beneath your feelings with me by your side. Others may have fallen away, been too afraid or overwhelmed to listen to try but not me. I am committed to crafting a joyful life. I can contain all you bring. So, bring it on.
We humans have the amazing ability to observe ourselves and take notice and change. At times, I will challenge you and call you out on distortions or worry and behaviors and beliefs that keep you in bondage. I will cry with you, laugh with you, affirm your righteous anger and celebrate your successes.
Love means not only willing the good of another, but participating in part for this noble work. This is where I take a stand for you, willing your good and doing my part.
It’s time to begin creating a better way of life.
Life has ground you down, polished you bare, exposed the worst of you, and you are left wanting for so much more.
You deserve more than this. Ask me how.
Seek, and you will find it. I am here, waiting for you. Together, we can create a joyful life and find that pearl of great price within you.
Call me for a 30-minute free consultation and take your first steps to discovery: (949) 933-1242.