My Approach to Helping
Helping others is my passion. I have always been that person others run to and confide in when life gets tough. Perhaps this is because I genuinely care about helping people overcome the difficult things life throws at us. I am also able to sit with and hold a lot of pain. When you visit with me, I will help you find your own way, figure out what is best for you rather than what others think is best. Together, we will figure out what obstacles are in your path and how to overcome them. You will experiment with new ideas and learn coping skills. Because we are all part of a larger whole, we will address your problems as a piece to your life's puzzle, rather than as isolated events, so that a deeper more meaningful healing can take place.
More Info About My Practice
I have completed Peter Levine's 3 year trauma training called Somatic Experiencing, and love being able to incorporate concepts and techniques from this training in my work.
I am in network with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. If you have insurance with out of network benefits (generally a PPO), I can either provide you with a detailed receipt to submit for reimbursement, or in some cases submit the claims on your behalf.
My hours are strictly days (9am to 3pm Mon-Fri).
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
I absolutely love doing what I do. It is so enjoyable to see the good in people as they strive to shift and make their lives work better for them, and I feel honored to be able to be a part of that process. I am often amazed at the strength a client uncovers while he delves into his past and honestly apprizes his relationships and circumstances. Often, underneath the emotional defenses and negative behaviors, there is a core hurt that needs to be understood and healed, and once that happens, it is amazing to watch this person blossom and find joy and satisfaction. During the therapeutic process, a bond often develops and I truly appreciate this connection and being able to make a difference in people's lives.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
In addition to the obvious factors, such as experience and licensure, I believe one of the most important factors in choosing a therapist is feeling comfortable with your therapist. After all, you will be sharing intimate aspects of your life with your therapist, so you should feel your therapist cares about you as an individual and does not judge you. In order to achieve real healing, you may need to divulge to your therapist information about yourself or others that you don't normally share -so trust is key. Because it is difficult to know if you feel comfortable through an email or phone call, I recommend that you complete an initial session with me to see if we are a good fit, but also to schedule with a few other therapists to find what is best for you. Please don't worry that I might be offended if you schedule with other therapists in your search. I recommend it! Remember, I want what is best for you. If you should encounter a therapist that discourages you from visiting other therapists, my recommendation is to run the other way :)
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
The length of therapy typically depends on the problems you are working with and your goals. For instance, for couples it's fairly typical to meet every week for a month or more, and as you develop better communication skills and ways of working out your problems with your spouse, the therapy shifts to every other week. As you progress, the therapy becomes less frequent until we feel that your goals have been accomplished.
The process may be different for an individual who is dealing with a traumatic experience or past hurts. Once we have met and defined your goals, we will determine what approach works best for you and how often you need to visit with me. We will then work on developing skills to make you more confident in moving forward with less support. Basically, the duration and frequency of therapy is determined by your needs.
