WHAT TO EXPECT

Whether you've been in therapy before or are trying it for the first time, therapy can be a daunting experience. It's not easy to put yourself in a vulnerable position and talk about your most personal thoughts and feelings. I completely understand...

 

So I do everything possible to provide a safe, inviting and comfortable environment with a supportive, compassionate and understanding approach.

 

Our first meeting will partially serve as a "get to know each other" session to see if we're a good fit to work together. Even the best therapist is not necessarily the "right" therapist for every person or every couple. Only you can make the determination as to whether or not you feel like the client-therapist match is a good one for you.

 

First sessions also focus on your current reason(s) for seeking therapy. I'll help you explore, clarify and process your thoughts and feelings regarding the struggles you're currently facing. In addition, I'll describe and explain my approach in more detail, and provide some information regarding the REBT (Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy) model that I typically follow, as well as some foundational concepts from John Gottman's approach for couples. (See more about the REBT and Gottman models below.) Depending on your needs, progress can sometimes be made as early as the first session.

 

Successive meetings will focus on goal setting and, in general terms, exploration of what's getting in the way of you living the life you want, or having the relationship you want, in the way you want, and how to reduce or eliminate those obstacles (such as negative self-talk, unhealthy habits and irrational thinking).

 

If you have any questions or concerns about what to expect when starting therapy, please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

ABOUT REBT

(from the Albert Ellis Institute website)

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is the pioneering form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). REBT is an action-oriented psychotherapy that teaches individuals to identify, challenge, and replace their self-defeating thoughts and beliefs with healthier thoughts that promote emotional well-being and goal achievement. REBT was developed in 1955 by Dr. Albert Ellis. Dr. Ellis has been considered one of the most influential psychotherapists in history.

 

More...

 

 

ABOUT GOTTMAN APPROACH TO COUPLES THERAPY

(from the The Gottman Institute website)

John and Julie Gottman's research shows that to make a relationship last, couples must become better friends, learn to manage conflict, and create ways to support each other’s hopes for the future. The Gottman's have shown how couples can accomplish this by paying attention to what they call the Sound Relationship House, or the seven components of healthy relationships.

 

More...