A brief look at how I go about therapy

Human beings are too complex for a single, formulaic, one-size-fits-all therapy approach. The therapy approach should conform to you, not the other way around. There are a lot of brands of therapy that are regularly used in the field, many of which I have experience in (see the list below), but, because of your uniqueness, it is important to collaboratively create the approach that is going to work for you. I work to achieve this in therapy by using a transtheoretical Feedback-Informed Therapy (FIT) approach with my clients that is derived from the PCOMS system advocated for by Dr. Scott Miller. This is an evidence-based, well researched practice that transcends a single therapy model like the ones listed below. Some therapists think that simply asking for verbal confirmation of your satisfaction is good enough. Unfortunately, research shows that even experienced therapists misjudge client progress as well as the quality of the therapy relationship. I don't want that to happen for you in therapy. I want you to get what's going to actually help you, which is why I use the FIT approach.

Each session starts with you completing a brief psychological instrument that measures your well-being and then a separate instrument that evaluates your perception of the therapeutic relationship at the end of the session. Part of each session will involve using these measures to help create an atmosphere that hinges on modifying the treatment in an ongoing manner so that you can derive maximum benefit. The therapeutic approach will develop to match exactly what you need because we're regularly addressing our therapeutic relationship and your progress; working to address any barriers that appear as the situation dictates and as your needs change in each phase of your personal growth. I encourage you to check out my Success Rate information regarding my results with this approach. 

Treatments that are most often integrated in my work with clients

I provide individual therapy for numerous psychological concerns and disorders for adults and some adolescents.  Below is a list of evidence-based treatments I regularly incorporate into my FIT approach I described above that is tailored to your needs and preferences.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - can be used for almost any psychological or interpersonal concern

  • Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP) - for depression, anxiety, and interpersonal difficulties

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) - depression, anxiety, grief, trauma/PTSD

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - depression, anxiety, self-esteem, chronic pain, obsessive compulsive disorder, addiction, stress, anger

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI) - addiction, contemplating healthy changes (e.g., improving diet, struggling to exercise regularly, etc.)

  • Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) - trauma/PTSD, coping difficulties, relational problems

  • Interpersonal Process Therapy - depression, stress, relational problems

  • Relapse Prevention - addiction

  • Existential Therapy - spiritual issues, meaning and life purpose

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) - obsessive compulsive disorder

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE) - trauma/PTSD

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) - trauma/PTSD