Counseling Services
Counseling
Seeking psychological services is a life-enhancing decision, and yet most of us wait longer then we should before approaching professional help. This is because we feel equipped to deal with our problems alone or we are embarrassed to get help. Receiving counseling help is not a sign of weakness but actually proves you are strong and courageous enough to deal with the problems in your life. Traditionally, it is recommended to seek counseling services when you are faced with a personal tragedy or loss, self-esteem issues, anger, stress, financial problems, workplace conflict, and relationship issues. The support and objective help that comes from a strong client/counselor relationship can help people make significant changes in their lives. However, you can also seek counseling services simply to enhance your strengths and to live a more joyous life.
Benefits of Counseling
Counseling services help you know that you have a problem in the first place, which is usually the biggest step of all, because without recognizing a problem, you cannot be looking for a solution. Therefore, once you admit that you have a problem, you will start getting some answers/solutions for it. Counseling services are not meant to provide a miraculous recovery from your past experiences, solutions to financial problems, or help you get together with your ex-partner, but they will assist you in finding your inner strength to face and deal with the problem at hand.
Sometimes seeking professional help may be required to just to help you with opening yourself up and expressing your feelings and may not have anything to do with major disaster. Actually, almost any disorder can be helped through psychological services, whether you are dealing with mental, physical, or emotional issues, and you should seek help before it evolves and takes control over your being. Each of us may need some type of counseling services at one point or the other in our lives, as we all encounter life-altering events of one kind or the other. Whatever your reasons, if you find yourself in a situation where your feelings are overwhelming and affecting your daily activities and/or thinking pattern; it may be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.
What to expect during therapy?
In a safe and non-threatening environment, you and I will identify your goals for counseling and work through the issues that keep feeling you stuck, sad, anxious or unfulfilled. There is no reason to let depression, anxiety, stress, major life events, or past experience prevent you from living life to your fullest. My practice is based on collaboration, respect, and recognition of your individuality, strengths, and experiences. My professional orientation is based on your needs, with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral therapy, existential therapy and mind-body wellness. However, my focus is on what suits your temperament and preference.
When you feel comfortable with your therapist, therapy is more likely to be very helpful to you. I strongly believe you should feel at ease with the therapist you choose. In order for you to determine if I am the right therapist for you or not I am providing you with much information on my training and background on my website.
Successful counseling requires your active involvement
I view therapy as a partnership between a therapist and client. I expect us to plan our work together. You will need to put in your best efforts to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. There are no instant, painless cures and no "magic pills."
How long will I need to be in counseling?
I am committed to providing goal focused short-term therapy. Most clients need to meet once a week for 3 to 6 months, then tapering off to just once a month for another 6 months. We will mutually discontinue treatment once your goals are met and/or if the therapy isn’t effective.
My theoretical approach is based on extensive training, evidence-based therapies, work experience as a psychotherapist, and my life experiences as a human being. The goals of my treatment are to offer you a choice of effective tools that can enhance the quality of your life by decreasing maladaptive thoughts and behavior.
My style of therapy is eclectic and tailored to serve the needs of the client. Eclectic means that my orientation results from combining different elements of several different therapy techniques. My focus is on helping people change in a way that's best for them.
In my work with clients I may use one of more of the following types of therapy, among others:
• Humanistic therapies (to err is human) focus on the conscious mind and subjective experiences to help clients gain insights. The basic elements of this approach are nonjudgmental positive regard, reflective listening, empathy, and the genuineness of the therapist.
• Cognitive therapies (thinking is believing) are action therapies that work at changing a person's illogical or distorted thinking and beliefs that lead to maladaptive behavior.
• Behavior therapies (learning better behavior) are based on the premise that all behaviors normal or maladaptive are learned and can therefore be unlearned.
• I strongly believe in the mind-body model of wellness that recognizes that a healthy mind promotes a healthy body and vice versa. Depending on your needs and preference, I may also use positive visualization, relaxation training, calming breathing practices, meditation and gentle Yoga poses to promote mind-body wellness.
In the future I will also be offering psychoeducational groups in the following:
Anger management Assertiveness Training
Children of divorced parents Grief and loss
Self-esteem Shyness
Women’s group
Please periodically check website for offerings. For more information contact me at sdpsy@verizon.net.
“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” Marcus Antonius (A.D.
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