How Does Psychotherapy Work? 

In a confidential setting, you and your therapist discuss parts of your life that you’d like to improve. But, talking is simply an avenue to discuss a large array of experiences, in an effort to be able to learn more from them.  Psychotherapy may be provided individually, in a group, with couples/marital, or with families.

Psychotherapy works best when you’re open to sharing your thoughts and feelings with a therapist. It’s key that there’s trust between you and your therapist. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is that psychotherapy takes time.

Forming a bond with your therapist won’t happen overnight, and changing the thoughts and behaviors that aren’t working for you is a gradual process.

Depending on your therapist, the type of therapy, and your own needs, you might talk about your:

• personal history
• emotions
• relationships
• thought patterns
• behaviors and habits
• goals and obstacles
   

I provide psychotherapy services to adults (18 years and older) who are struggling with a broad range of mental health, substance use, and emotional difficulties.

I offer psychotherapy services via video conferencing only. Video conferencing sessions will be conducted via a HIPAA-compliant platform called Theraplatform. This is a simple platform to navigate. I will schedule your initial session then you will receive a link to Theraplatform. You will need to log into the platform and create a user name and password. You will be able to pay for your sessions, schedule your own sessions, review documentation, e-sign documentation, and e-mail me. You will be required to only use this platform to communicate with me as it is HIPAA-compliant and confidential. You will be responsible for initiating the connection with me for all scheduled sessions.

Who can benefit from psychotherapy? 

Psychotherapy is effective for treating a wide variety of mental health and behavioral issues, including, but not limited to:

• depression
• anxiety
• substance use disorders
• eating disorders
• trauma recovery, including PTSD
• grief or loss
• relationship problems
• stress
• low self-esteem
• major life transitions (change in personal life or career)
• mental health disorders

What are Psychotherapy Techniques or Approaches?

Your therapist may use methods or techniques from different approaches to tailor therapy to your needs. 

I use an integrative or holistic approaches to treat both mental health and substance use disorders as well as other issues that occur in your life. These other issues may include general stress, grief/loss, and anger management. Using integrative approaches to treatment allows me to use different approaches to meet your unique needs.

Some of the therapeutic approaches that I use include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and CBT with Mindfulness

Dialectical behavioral therapy

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Supportive therapy

To learn more about psychotherapy techniques and what to expect click here

I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as my primary approach in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. 

CBT is a combination of Cognitive Therapy (help you to identify your distressing thoughts, evaluate how realistic the thoughts are, and learn to change your distorted thinking) and Behavioral Therapy (identify and change potentially self-destructive or unhealthy behavior). Treatment is centered around how someone’s thoughts and beliefs influence their actions and moods.

CBT is a solution-focused approach. The goal of CBT is to teach you how to be your own therapist by providing strategies that will help you to evaluate your thinking and behaving and have more control over your life. The emphasis is on providing you with the tools you need to make progress towards the goals you set.

Other benefits of CBT include:

• CBT is firmly based on research findings
• CBT is goal-oriented and zeroes in on specific problems
• CBT emphasizes collaboration and active participation
• CBT is structured and directive
• CBT is rooted in the here and now
• CBT emphasizes relapse prevention
• CBT is time-limited
• CBT involves a variety of techniques
• CBT invites client feedback

For more information about CBT, click here

Signs that you could benefit from psychotherapy include:

✔You feel an overwhelming, prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness

✔Your problems don’t seem to get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends

✔You find it difficult to concentrate on work assignments or to carry out other everyday activities

✔You worry excessively, expect the worst, or are constantly on edge

✔Your actions, such as drinking too much alcohol, using drugs, or being aggressive, are harming you or others