My Approach to Helping

More Info About My Practice

I am certified as a level 3 practitioner of TEAM CBT therapy through The Feeling Good Institute. This institute is based on the work of Dr. David Burns, a leading expert in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

My View on the Nature of 'Disorders'

I was taught the medical model of 'disorders,' meaning that depression and anxiety are simply a chemical imbalance and need antidepressant medications. I now know that it is much more complicated than that and in fact, many people respond better to therapy as a long-term solution. We all have problems and complications in life that cause us distress. Learning to cope with them and understand the root cause is critical to long-term recovery. For example, losses are part of the human experience and yet we're taught to "get back to work and stay busy" to get through it. I believe that changing how we think and behave is much more effective, especially with losses that we can control. One of my new favorite books on the subject is "Lost Connections" by Johann Yari. On the other hand, I have over 20 years of experience with psychiatric evaluations and am able to recognize and diagnose when people need psychiatric care that's beyond my scope of practice.

The Duration and Frequency of Therapy

The duration and frequency of therapy is as unique as each individual. I typically recommend weekly sessions for the first month so I can establish the best working relationship as possible. For people who are committed to the process and willing to do work outside of the sessions, I find the duration of therapy to be much shorter than for people who are looking for a supportive relationship. I will always leave it up to the individual, couple, or family how often and how hard they're willing to work. I also make a promise to my clients that I will be honest if I don't feel that I can help them and will be glad to give referrals.