Peter Chan, Psy.D.

In today's fast-paced society, the purpose of psychotherapy is often synonymous with symptom reduction. While there is absolute merit and need to help someone to relieve their symptoms and deal with their present difficulties, this prescription can influence one's expectations of the process and purpose of psychotherapy before one even begins. It can limit the creative use of psychotherapy and thereby affect what one can gain through the therapeutic process. I believe that the purpose of psychotherapy can be very different for each individual. Since everyone is unique, how one chooses to utilize his or her time with the therapist can be vastly different. For some, they seek to alleviate their symptoms. For others, they wish to learn coping skills to help them prepare for future challenges. While there are some who use psychotherapy to better understand their unconscious processes and deep-seated motivation, there are others who simply want a space for them to feel safe and share their stories. Ultimately, I believe the common element amongst these seemingly different purposes to therapy is to affect change. When we work together, I will support you to achieve the changes you seek. Whether they are changes that are concrete and observable like getting a job or losing weight; or something more intangible such as a better understanding of the cause of your depression or a deeper sense of connectedness to your identity.

I see therapy is a collaborative process between us. My role as a therapist isn't to dictate the journey you take in the course of psychotherapy but as a companion on whichever path you choose to explore. While the paths chosen may be different for everyone, my goal is to support you and to facilitate changes within you. Changes that can enrich your life, improve your overall well-being and help you reach your full potential.