W. Keith Sutton, Psychologist in San Francisco, 94123

W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D.

Profession(s):
Psychology
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
PSY - 22439

My Approach to Helping

When working with my clients, I work collaboratively to help them achieve their goals. I use effective, evidence based approaches to helping individuals, couples, and families overcome difficulties and find happiness in their life. I help clients to learn new skills, utilize their strengths, and create a life of intention, where they are able to live the life they want, rather than feeling like a pawn to their problems. Everyone needs help now and again and I take the time to understand my clients' situation and help develop a plan together for success.

I work with individual adults, couples, and families with teenagers. I have worked with teenagers and adults since 1998 in various settings such as private practice, community clinics, schools, drug and alcohol treatment program, wilderness program, shelters, and a residential treatment center. Unlike other therapists, I can work on an individual level as well as a relational level, so can help whole families, from the children to the couple to the adult. I also provide neuropsychological assessments for ADHD and learning issues, so I can work on a micro level of neuroscience and on a macro level working with the various systems in one's life.

For therapy to be most effective, clients must feel heard, understood, and respected by their therapist, must feel like they're working on what is most important to them, and feel like the approach being used in the therapy is going to help them achieve their goals. I encourage feedback from my clients to ensure that we're meeting those three aspects and then adjust our work as needed to meet my client's needs, rather than provide a "one size fits all" approach.

On the Fence About Going to Therapy?

My advice is to pick up the phone and make the call to check it out. There's no harm in checking it out. Many people wait a long, long time before they seek help. Some may think, "it's not that bad" or "I can't afford it" or "my child isn't motivated" or "my partner won't want to come", but don't let any of that stop you. It's ok if its not gotten to the worst of it, usually we can help it not get that bad. There are lots of resources for low fee therapy, so don't let cost be an issue. Children and teenagers don't have to be motivated or "want to change" for therapy to be effective and actually, the majority aren't motivated, but once they get engaged in therapy, a good therapist can help them see the benefit as well as help the parents to motivate the kids. You'd be surprised at how many couples think their partner won't want to come in for therapy and do, but even if your partner refuses, a good therapist can help engage them in the process and/or work with you to improve the relationship.

Had a Negative Therapy Experience?

Sadly, I have worked with many clients who had negative or neutral experiences in therapy. Unfortunately, there are many therapists out there who are not up to date on the most effective approaches and don't practice in respectful ways, which is why this site seems to be a good way to help clients find a good therapist. Also, I've worked with many clients who had done therapy before, liked their therapist, but didn't experience much change. Many of my clients are surprised and happy with the change I'm able to help them create and appreciate my collaborative, respectful style, which is engaging and down to earth. My practical approach and personal manner tends to both make clients feel comfortable and lead them to achieve the goals their looking for. This isn't just a therapy where the therapist says "uh, huh" or we sit and talk for years on end with out change, the therapy I do helps you to live the life, have the relationship, have the family, and/or have the success you want.