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 | Psychotherapy: Background Information Years of working with clients and instructing and supervising students on therapy and counseling skills have lead us to realize that many people are curious about some of the basics of therapy. Here are some of the more common questions. Do I really need psychotherapy? Is psychotherapy right for me? These are questions that many people think about as they consider seeking a therapy or counseling. Often times the thought of looking for a psychologist feels shameful or is taken as a sign of emotional weakness. People may also hesitate because of a belief that no one else could possibly understand what they are going through. Download and read the page 1 article of the Winter 2006 issue of Thriving for more on this topic. Coming to understand whether psychotherapy is something that would be beneficial for you is an important decision that will take time and effort on your part. Because it can be a difficult decision you may want to set up an initial consultation with one of our licensed psychologists to determine whether it is something you wish to pursue. Does Therapy Work? Sophisticated research studies on the effectiveness of psychotherapy have shown that it is indeed helpful for the vast majority of people who engage in it. These studies have shown that most people are psychologically healthier at the end of therapy when compared to those who had similar problems but did not engage in therapy. There are many approaches to therapy and counseling, and generally most major approaches have been shown to be equally effective in helping people achieve higher levels of psychological health. We are a strong believer that finding a therapist with whom you feel comfortable with, or "match" with, is critically important to a positive outcome in psychotherapy. What is it like to be in therapy? We strive to provide my clients with a comfortable and non-judgemental opportunity to be heard and understood. Basically, much of the work of therapy is having an opportunity to explore and make sense of difficulties or patterns in your life. Specifics about my practice as a psychologist We assist clients address a wide variety of concerns and difficulties, and have worked with clients, couples and groups facing addictions, adjustment issues, anxiety, coming out, depression, grieving, relationship distress, sexual difficulties, and workplace or career problems. We work with many individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and national backgrounds, including members of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community. Although the outcome and focus of therapy varies, we approach therapy with the following general goals in mind:
Many of our clients' concerns are also related to their work life and careers. Be sure to visit our career counseling and career testing page.
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