Alan Behrman, Psychologist in Marietta, 30062

Alan Behrman, PhD

Profession(s):
Psychology
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
Psychologist

My Approach to Helping

I've been hearing for years from clients about how their previous therapist was a good listener, but they didn't feel like they made much progress. While active listening is an important skill for a therapist, listening can only go so far. I believe what sets me apart from many other therapists is the fact I actually help you help yourself make the necessary changes in your life by giving you techniques, tools, skills, and guidance to achieve your goals. You'll almost always walk out of a session with a new technique or two that you can go home and start using immediately. While any given technique doesn't work for everyone and most people need a plethora of techniques, I'll be sure to give you the techniques and tools that I think are most appropriate for you and specially modified for your given circumstance. I also believe that therapy doesn't have to be boring, hard, or last years. I've heard from most of my clients that they actually enjoy coming to therapy because its not like they thought it would be. It's OK to laugh, talk, and generally have a good time in my sessions while working on very difficult and complex situations and issues.

More Info About My Practice

Services
My expertise lies in the areas of anxiety disorders, couples counseling (both pre-marital and marital, heterosexual and homosexual), family counseling, relationship counseling (any type of relationship), divorce counseling, life coaching and general life issues, sport psychology, Borderline Personality Disorder, and psychological testing (personality, ADHD, and LD primarily). Specifically, I am well versed and considered an expert in the Atlanta metro area for the following disorders and issues:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety NOS (Not otherwise specified)
Panic Disorder (Panic and anxiety attacks)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Marriage, family, and pre-marital counseling
Borderline Personality Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Eating Disorders
Specific phobias** (flying, driving, insects, closed spaces, etc)
Social phobia
Sexual issues
Sport Psychology

**Note that I do frequently go out into the community to drive with clients who have driving phobias, elevators/heights/enclosed spaces, and fear of flying. However, any time beyond the normal 45-50 minute session will be charged a fee per hour that will not be covered by insurance. These extended sessions are almost always extremely beneficial and very necessary for treatment. If, for example, we need to take a short flight together we will discuss and agree on a reduced rate fee.

I have many years of successful experience working with these issues and thoroughly enjoy these areas specifically although I do see the full range of therapeutic issues. Contact me to find out if your issues match my expertise.

Additionally, I do run a variety of groups including divorce groups, general processing groups, relationship groups, and any other highly requested groups.

Skype
I do offer sessions via skype for those clients who cannot make it in to the office due to timing issues. I also offer this service to individuals who travel for business and who are not in town during the week. The fee for these sessions is the same for in-office sessions.

Fees
I am currently taking several insurances. You may call or email to verify benefits. However, most of my clients pay out of pocket. I will provide you with any and all information to file for any out of network claims.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

My main focuses are in 2 areas: Anxiety Disorders and Family/Couples Therapy. I have a tremendous amount of experience working with anxiety disorders and have developed a wide variety of techniques, models, and philosophies to help my clients that suffer with these disorder not only manage and minimize them, but thrive. I do not use cookie cutter techniques and I take my clients' issues very seriously and independently (although positivity and humor and used frequently). I adapt many of the methods I use to each individual so that it has the maximum impact. The other area I focus on is family and couples counseling. These relationships are the very foundation of our present and future so I feel particularly strongly about helping couples (both pre-marital and marital) work through whatever issues are going on whether its communication, sexual, infidelity, general unhappiness, post/pre divorce, etc. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy working with parenting skills and parent-child relationships.

My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I can honestly say that I love going to work every day. Not many people can say that and you'll notice it each and every time you're in my office. As much as I dislike seeing people in crisis and pain the first time they walk in to my office, I love seeing the progress and ultimate success that the vast majority of my clients have. Most of my clients leave happy that they underwent this process with me and feel like it was time and energy well spent. I don't have the mindset of making therapy as hard and dramatic as possible. Rather, I take a positive, fun (usually), goal oriented approach where clients can see and enjoy their success along the way.

Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance

The client-therapist relationship is THE most important aspect of therapy. Once a good, trusting relationship has been established, almost anything is possible. I feel like that is one of my best attributes as a psychologist. To be able to develop that relationship with each and every client is at the top of my list initially. I'm non-judgmental no matter what the issue and feel like if you are trusting me with your inner most secrets and issues, then I owe it to you to not judge you and help you overcome whatever you are dealing with.