Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.What's My Approach to Therapy?
My treatment approach begins with understanding what you would like to accomplish, what works for you, and how we can do that. This is done within the parameters of maintaining your uniqueness as a person.
I like to think of an old American Indian expression: If I give you a fish, you eat for today. If I teach you how to fish, you eat forever. I like to address the concerns that you bring to treatment to be resolved first. Then, if you choose, I will provide a working model to manage future issues. I do not try to fit you into a theoretical modality. Treatment modalities are tools in a toolbox of help. Together, we decide which tools to take out of the box and use. This is the development of a significant working therapeutic relationship. It is paramount to obtain success with your treatment goals.
With over twenty-five years of experience as a therapist, supervisor, teacher of psychology, and business consultant, I have a large base of knowledge and experience to draw from to help you. Part of my philosophy of therapy is that it is most effective if well balanced. This includes a personalized work out program and diet .
I work with all ages, from age four through adolescence, adulthood, and elder years. I am trained as an eclectic modern psychoanalyst. I hope that the following will help you with an improved understanding of my treatment process.
Modern psychoanalytic therapy
Who can it help?
Modern analytic therapy helps people experiencing emotional pain. This can be depression, anxiety, fears, restlessness, an inability to work effectively, or feeling overwhelmed with anger. Some feel weighted down with responsibilities or feel devoid of goals or ties. They may have difficulty playing or being able to have a meaningful relationship. They may be entangled with parents, spouses, or children. Resolution of emotional trauma and growth are part of the analytic process. People come to psychoanalytic therapy to be happy. Analytic therapy also helps people who may not have significant emotional issues but who simply wish to improve their lives. I have worked with many business executives, professional athletes, and recording artists who chose analysis with the purpose of increasing their efficiency. Children may have difficulty playing, relationships with peers, defiance and authority figures, or difficulty with maintaining attention and focus in school. Modifications in the modern analytic approach are implemented to accommodate a child's age.
What is modern psychoanalytic therapy like?
The client talks and is listened to by the analyst. Past, current, and future life goals are discussed. Analyst and client share a confidential relationship. The analyst helps the client speak of their life and be understanding of all of its parts. Buried feelings that were never resolved come to the surface and are worked through. They talk about work, play, intimacy, and relationships. They uncover memories and look at frustration, anxiety, loneliness, loss, pain, and love. They look at how past patterns that may have been replayed in the present are no longer effective. Analyst and client develop better ways for the client to make more effective choices. The analyst provides choices.
What does the psychoanalytic therapist do?
The modern analyst asks questions, listens carefully, searches, and comprehends with intellect, feelings, and knowledge. The analyst develops a picture of what the client may be unaware of that is affecting their life. This is done with an understanding of those things that are within awareness that affect choices. The client accepts the responsibility to work hard with the analyst. Together, they develop an approach to provide relief to the concerns that brought the person to treatment.
How long does it take?
The person comes to treatment with issues of concern. When these problems can be dealt with effectively, treatment may conclude. Treatment sessions are scheduled according to the person. People attend treatment anywhere from once a month to three times per week. It is individually based.
How is a psychoanalyst trained?
A candidate for training can only be accepted into a training institute through a board of senior psychoanalysts. The program consists of rigorous intellectual and emotional training.
1) Intensive coursework is four years in length post-master's or doctorate, including treatment practice, supervision, and personal analysis, and may total much longer.
2) All candidates must undergo a deep personal analysis during the entire length of their training to resolve any obstacles that may interfere with the treatment process.
3) Long-term individual and group supervision with numerous case study presentations is required. One should note that this training is in addition to any academic degree received, such as MSW, PhD, MD, etc.
What do psychoanalysts learn?
The analyst learns simple to complex theories of the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of emotional development and challenges. Training is usually five to ten years. Each analyst treats a wide range of emotional issues under the close supervision of senior analysts. Each candidate for certification is carefully evaluated by a panel of senior analysts. The modern psychoanalyst is evaluated and must show superior understanding, skill, and emotional balance needed to treat people. Certification is granted after coursework, personal analysis, supervised analysis of clients, successful case presentations, and the exam are completed.