No two people are alike, so there is not one answer for everyone who asks this question. Nonetheless, the American Psychological Association recommends therapy in the event you or a loved one is overwhelmed with feelings of despair related to anger, anxiety, worry, sorrow, grief, trauma and so on. This means you are preoccupied with it at least an hour a day; it causes panic attacks or health issues; problems with work, school or relationships; or leads to violence against self or others.

Life can present all kinds of challenges to people. I am qualified and experienced in addressing all major or minor concerns a client is experiencing. Some examples are:
o    Relationship difficulties with family members, spouse, child, or work colleagues
o    Anxiety (social anxiety, panic attacks, generalized worry, OCD, etc.)
o    Post-traumatic stress disorder (due to a recent or long-ago experience)
o    Eating disorder (anorexia, compulsive overeating, bulimia)
o    Depression (post-partum, bereavement, or otherwise)
o    Addictive behavior
o    Struggles with anger or stress management
o    Any other set of symptoms that is disrupting life

A therapist is trained to work with couples in addressing, managing and coping with communicative friction or other interpersonal problems, including financial stress, parenting, fidelity issues, affection deficits, anger management, substance abuse and more. Unbiased and confidential, the therapist can lead a couple to implementing relationship solutions that lead to building healthy, functional relationships. Date coaching by a licensed and experienced therapist addresses issues such as networking effectively, screening prospects, identifying red flags, as well as any challenges that present themselves. Poor conversation skills, anxiety, fears of intimacy, are other examples of where help can be extremely valuable.

In the event that a spouse is unwilling to join sessions, it is extremely beneficial for the husband/wife to attend sessions alone. Changes made by one person will impact the relationship as a whole and can benefit the marriage significantly.

The following are important things to consider when seeking a professional therapist’s help:
o    Is the therapist licensed by the state she practices in?
o    Trained at an accredited and well recognized university?
o    Has an impressive number of years of experience in practice and in relation to your issue?
o    Offers both in-person session or teletherapy?
o    Offers references?
o    Engenders a comfort level and ease when speaking with them?
o    Does the therapist respect your feelings and validate them? Is he/she non-judgmental? Supports and facilitates your own decisions rather than telling you what to do?
o    Adheres strictly to professional boundaries: no dual relationship, no self-disclosure, clear rules about time, space, and fees.

If trained at an accredited university, psychologists and social workers are both qualified to deal with people challenged with emotional issues and life challenges. The difference lies in their specific training and the approaches they take.

Psychologists use a clinical path towards healing, with a focus solely on the mind. Clinical social workers on a LCSW level have a master’s degree in social work, specialized training that prepares them to use a holistic approach in dealing with every aspect of the person on an all-encompassing- person in environment - level. Both psychologist and social worker do not prescribe medication but provide diagnostic and counseling/therapy services. The bottom line when considering a therapist is to look for a good client-fit and a track record of solutions that meet success.

Only a medical doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medication. That being said, therapists can refer clients to a psychiatrist to facilitate prescription medication. Moreover, a therapist can help clients with medication management and provide strategies to boost its effectiveness while working towards a solution so that medication may no longer be a necessary component of treatment.

 

The duration of therapy depends on the individual client and their particular style and struggle. The important consideration is to look at whether progress is taking place and to openly discuss a timeline for your goals with your therapist.

 

In person sessions are held at my office where there is a private waiting room and separate exit to insure confidentiality. Privacy is taken extremely seriously to provide a safe and comfortable environment. Therapists are legally and ethically obligated to keep the identity of their clients 100% confidential at all times, from anyone and everyone, except in a case where danger is presented.

A well trained, emotionally healthy therapist does not encourage dependency and fosters a client’s skills to function independently. Therapy is not a crutch – it is a process by which individuals can develop the tools to manage their challenges effectively on their own. Therapy should have clearly defined goals with a timeline, so that progress can be evaluated.

I will provide clients with an insurance receipt to submit. For information about fees and payment please contact me directly.