My Approach

Whether we meet for individual or couples therapy you can expect the course of therapy to move in four general phases. If you have a trauma history or if an unexpected difficult life event occurs during the course of therapy you can expect each of the phases to last longer.  Each phase occurs organically and the decision to alter treatment is made collaboratively. 

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The first phase of our work together is intake and goal setting which usually takes 4-5 sessions.  By the third or fourth session I hope you will start to feel settled in and are looking forward to meeting. Once the goals are set I will write a detailed treatment plan with goals, objectives and interventions. Throughout the course of treatment I will use the treatment plan as a guide for the direction of the work while continuously re-conceptualizing how best to help you reach the goals you have set.  

The second phase is the intensive work which can take six months to a year depending on the complexity and number of the goals you have set for yourself. During this phase you will be making changes and experimenting with new behaviors and approaches.  I might recommend a book that I feel will advance your understanding of concepts we are working with.  If I think a workbook will help draw you out and express yourself more easily we may add that to our sessions.  

The third phase of therapy focuses on maintaining the gains you have made during the intensive work of the second phase of therapy.  At this stage of therapy you will be using the tools and applying the insights and understanding you have gained to manage most situations that arise independently.  It may be time to consider moving to biweekly sessions.  

The fourth phase is the tapering off and ending of therapy.  At this point we might move to monthly sessions for three to six months to create an easeful transition back to managing life without the support of a therapist. 

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Please remember that each person's experiences in therapy is different and there are no guarantees of specific outcomes.