My Approach to Helping
When you are in a session with me, I will be very focused on what you are saying, and I will ask questions to understand the feelings and experiences that have brought you to this point. I think there's great power in telling your story and having it validated. You might need direction and advice, and I am pleased to give my opinion based on experience and training. I am cautious about 'giving advice' per se, and want to make sure I understand fully. I prefer to offer ideas to help you have more options. This isn't just me nodding and saying "uh huh", however; I like teaching specific communication skills so that what you have to say to your partner and family is as well received as how you meant it to be. I'm not afraid to jump right in and give my opinion about what is going on, and how it might be improved. If you have children, I want to help you help them. My approach is casual yet professional, and previous clients have told me how relaxed and comfortable they feel in sessions with me.
More Info About My Practice
This is fee for service--payment due at the time of the session. The fee is $100 for an hour session. I don't bill insurance and that means no leakage of your private information. I will, however, provide you with a statement showing that you've paid. The statement will have all the information needed should you want to submit it to your insurance company. Perhaps they will reimburse you; you'll need to check with them.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I am most adept at helping couples who are experiencing distress in their relationships. When people experience crises in relationship they are often open to making changes, and it is such a joy to help people get back to the satisfaction and love they once had with each other.
On the Fence About Going to Therapy?
If you're not sure you should start therapy, I urge you to come to one session, and see if it is the right kind of atmosphere for you. We could use that session as a sort of consultation to see what might be the best course of action for your situation.
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
Some couples experience relief and renewed satisfaction after just one session, but it generally takes 3 or 4 sessions to unravel destructive patterns and get ready to practice new ways of communicating and developing healthy patterns. When couples first come to see me we talk about their goals and that determines how many sessions. If those goals change during the course of therapy (for example if they decide they want to include their children in family counseling sessions) it will take more sessions. I would recommend about 8 sessions to reach your goals, if both of you are 'on board' and willing to try new ways of communication.
