If, by chance, you feel ovewhelmed by your problems, you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than a quarter of adults experience depression, anxiety or another mental disorder in any given year. Others need help coping with a serious illness, losing weight or quitting smoking. Still others struggle to cope with relationship problems, job loss, the death of a loved one, stress, substance abuse, or other issues. And these problems can often become debilitating. To get unstuck, seeking help from an experienced professional specializing in offering psychotherapy can be a very effective option. This experience and professionalism I can offer you.
Psychotherapy is often called "talking therapy," and if you decide to reach out to me for help, this is what we will do together during your treatment - talk, explore, uncover, develop. In the beginning, we will begin a dialogue about your problems and how to resolve them.
As part of the process of understanding your situation, I may want to do some assessments. Psychologists are trained to administer and interpret tests that can help determine the nature of your problems, identify important personality characteristics, uncover unhealthy coping strategies like substance use, or identify other factors contributing to your suffering. The test results can help me diagnose a disorder or provide more information about how you think, feel, or behave.
A priority will be to develop and deepen a therapeutic and trusting relationship together. This is a key element in your progress.
At first, we will clarify what is bothering you and explore your problems through discussion. For some people, simply talking freely about a problem brings relief, especially when a safe, non-judgemental atmosphere has been established. We will then move into a problem-solving phase, working together to find alternative ways to think, behave, and manage your feelings. If appropriate, I may give you “homework” to think about or practice new skills between sessions.
Over time, we'll revisit your initial objectives, evaluate your progress and determine whether your initial goals need to be reformulated or expanded. In some cases, we might find it beneficial to involve other people. If you're having relationship issues, for example, having a spouse or partner join you in a session can be helpful. This of course will be according to what is best for you and, most importantly, your comfort with this.
As we continue to address the problems that brought you to psychotherapy, you will learn new skills that will help you see yourself and the world differently. You'll learn how to distinguish between situations you can change and those you can't and how to focus on improving the things within your control. You'll also learn resilience, which will help you better cope with future challenges.
A number of treatment studies have found that the approaches we will be using in your therapy (cognitive-behavioural and ACT treatments) have a lasting effect that reduces the risk of symptoms returning even after treatment ends. The objective is to help you modify your perspective and develop new ways of thinking and behaving. Above all, my goal is to help you feel better in your life, in your skin, and in your relationships.
