I recognize that making the decision to begin counseling takes courage. Finding a therapist that is the right fit for you is never easy. I can’t or won’t claim that I am the right therapist for everyone, which is why I speak with all prospective clients before I see them. You can feel safe making an appointment now; if you don’t feel that we are the best fit for one another after we speak, you are welcome to cancel the appointment without any financial penalty.
I want you to leave my website having a clear understanding of my practice & what to expect as a client. I clearly describe myself as a CBT, Cognitive Behavioral, Therapist & believe that with the proper guidance & practice, we possess the ability to overcome the emotional & behavioral hurdles we experience throughout life. Even more, I can confidently say that I am an expert in the diagnosis & treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression & Trauma, utilizing CBT methods, including a mode of treatment known as Exposure Based Therapy. Decades of research cite the use of CBT with Exposure Therapy as the Gold Standard & Treatment of Choice for these issues.
Lastly, I feel that it’s important to mention that I also often work with many individuals who are interested in therapy to improve their overall stress coping, assertiveness or communication skills, or just wish to better themselves & the quality of their lives. My role is to assist you with gaining the skills, practical experience & confidence to become your own coach as a result.
As your therapist, these are my promises to you:
- My moto is “Start Where the Client Is”, We will always move at a pace that is comfortable for you.
- Our relationship will be rooted in respect & trust; that takes time & honesty to build. Please know that “nothing” will ever shock me or cause me to judge you negatively. When you begin to be honest with me, you also learn to become honest with yourself.
- I do not possess a magic wand or a super-power to alleviate all that ails you. I do promise to listen, devote my full attention & engage in a continuous process of assessment that doesn’t end at the initial visit. Using this approach allows me to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for each unique individual & their specific needs.
- I strongly adhere to the philosophy “you get out what you put in”. I expect my clients to come to sessions on-time, with the appropriate materials – their journal/log & whatever homework they’ve been assigned, done consistently, throughout the week. Therapy requires some hard work mentally & physically. Remember, we are focused on eliminating negative thoughts & behaviors & are learning to use new tools, that require daily practice, time & effort.
I recommend that you read the sections on CBT & Exposure Therapy, as well as the rest of my website, to learn more about my practice. I also encourage you to contact my office via phone so that you can ask me any additional questions. I look forward to helping you to begin living your life fearlessly!
Thank you,