My Approach to Helping
It is important to have goals- they give us something to work towards. My main goal as a therapist is to provide all my clients with the ability to talk openly- without judgment- so that they may draw connections, feel their feelings, and learn positive ways to cope with life. In order to accomplish this goal, I utilize three main objectives: a positive therapeutic relationship; a safe space to process feelings; and the teaching of valuable skills used to improve mood, reduce negative behaviors, and strengthen relationships.
How do we build a good therapeutic relationship? In my practice, humor is used in conjunction with empathy, compassion, and a firm, caring approach. Humor can help someone feel more comfortable, express one's self more openly, or just lift one's spirits. I believe that through the use of humor, empathy, and compassion, we are able to develop the good therapeutic relationship needed to utilize a firm, caring approach. In all, these will lead to a positive, successful therapy session.
In order to discuss difficult, personal topics in session, all those involved need to feel safe. My practice strives to provide a safe space for all. Everyone who enters the front door is valued and appreciated for who they are. The goal is to provide a space where everyone is able to process feelings without the fear of being judged or censored. Therapy works best when you feel that you may speak openly. Groups (couples and families) are encouraged to value and show respect for one another. A good rule of thumb is to leave negative thoughts and statements expressed in session at the door upon exit. What happens in therapy, should stay in therapy!
Along with a good therapeutic relationship and a safe space for all, we need to work on building valuable skills used to improve mood, reduce negative behaviors, and strengthen relationships. Interventions utilized to achieve this goal include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy. If you don't know what these are, that is fine- you don't have to. Just follow my lead- I'm the professional! Not every intervention works for everyone. We will try different strategies and determine what works best for you.
Learning valuable skills to improve mood, reduce negative behaviors, and strengthen relationships takes a lot of work. But with a fun, caring, and safe environment, I hope to improve your skillful wellness.
