Individual Therapy This setting allows for a personal, indepth examination of the individual in order to increase understanding and personal awareness. It is an opportunity to explore in a safe, non-judgmental environment one's feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and experiences that are affecting the individual's present life.
Sessions typically begin with exploring the problems/concerns you are experiencing that led you to seek therapy. Our time together will include discussing the past and present challenges you face while also identifying your hopes and goals for the future. Often in just a few sessions, patterns are identified, insight is gained, and a sense of relief is felt.
Therapy for Adolescents Adolescence is a time of much inner and outer turmoil for both parent and adolescent. It represents a time of individuation and self-discovery that for many adolescents can be overwhelming and problematic. I treat adolescents that are experiencing anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, poor self-esteem, negative self-image, eating disorders, self-destructive behaviors, and gender and sexual identity issues. A central point of importance in treating adolescents in psychotherapy is that they feel safe and respected for their experiences.
Treatment for an adolescent usually begins with meeting with the parents to collect background information and to discuss the concerns and expectations they have for their child and the therapy. A meeting with the adolescent is then conducted to collect more information and to discuss treatment options. Following the completion of these meetings, another meeting is conducted with all parties (parents, adolescent, and therapist) to discuss the treatment plan and address any additional questions or concerns. If there is agreement from all parties to proceed, then the treatment will begin with meetings just with the adolescent. It's important that adolescents have significant rights to confidentiality and that parents try to support this. It's also important that parents share their concerns and questions to the therapist who is treating their child throughout the treatment. Parental input and support is encouraged.