David Mullen, Psychotherapist in Sarasota, 34239

David E Mullen, Ph.D.

Profession(s):
Psychotherapy, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
MFT

My Approach to Helping

I take a collaborative approach to helping people. I am not in the process of fixing people, but rather providing a safe, confidential and respectful atmosphere where we can together harness their strengths and utilize my clinical experience to help them live fuller, healthier and more satisfying lives. From beginning to end, the counseling is collaborative. Together we develop a contract and offer feedback so that the focus is on their goals. I am like a coach offering encouragement, support and constructive feedback and skills to aid them in this important process.

More Info About My Practice

I do not take insurance because of confidentiality issues. My particular areas of specialization are loss and trauma, relationship issues, anxiety and fears, the use of clinical hypnosis for habit control, peak performance in sports and business. I have been in the practice of psychotherapy for over 25 years and worked as director of a college counseling center, private counseling center and staff psychologist at a mental health center.In addition to being a doctoral level psychologist, I also am a former minister who feels comfortable dealing with spiritual issues in psychotherapy if the client desires it.

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

The most important factor in choosing a therapist is the fit between you and the therapist. Over and over research and clinical experience states that whatever the theoretical orientation of the therapist, it is the relationship established that accounts for over 40% of the change. In other words, do you think the therapist listens to you, respects you, provides a sense of safety and respect that you can begin to trust her and share some of your deepest concerns with? In addition to the relationship, has the therapist experienced enough of the joys and challenges of life that they can resonate with what you are going through. This is a wisdom gained for living life existentially and not simply from reading clinical casebooks. Has the therapist had personal psychotherapy? To know oneself and another, the therapist needs to be sensitively aware of her own strengths and weaknesses. Personal therapy in my opinion is very important for the therapist. The client does not want or deserve the therapist working out her own problems through them. Is the therapist committed to her own personal growth or has she essentially stopped growing professionally since obtaining her degree and license? Is the therapist non-defensive when you not only ask about training and education but ask about their successes and/or failure with the kind of issues you present?

The Duration and Frequency of Therapy

In general, I see clients for 6 - 12 sessions. The length of therapy depends on many things: the particular type problems that we focus on, etc. Specific behavior problems such as phobias. panic attacks, social anxiety are addressed in a structured way. Deeper problems such as abandonment, trust issues, sexual abuse take longer. In an ideal situation, the termination of therapy would be decided by both therapist and client. The bottom line however is that the client determines when therapy is complete. If I dont agree, I would state my objection(s). At the last session, I leave the door open for the client to come back if a problem arises. In the beginning of therapy , I usually see clients once a week to get the process going. Then I space them out to twice a month.