In individual psychotherapy or talk therapy, I will work with you one-to-one. I am using in-person, telehealth (video), or a hybrid of both. Individual psychotherapy is the most common type of therapy and can comprise several different therapeutic approaches.

The primary goal of individual therapy is to increase understanding of one’s thoughts and behavior patterns to help improve function and well-being. In treatment, you can learn how to manage stress, interpersonal difficulties, and troubling situations effectively. Working with you to develop the skills to make healthy decisions, set goals, and become more self-aware.

Marriage counseling, couple therapy, or family therapy can help to learn skills for building better, stronger bonds. Learn  how to communicate openly, calmly, and clearly and solve problems rationally, without aggression or anger.

This form of therapy or counseling aims to guide those in a troubled relationship or those who want to improve their relationship through difficult times and help them develop and grow stronger. I will work with you to find ways to improve communication, learn to resolve conflict without aggression or anger, and address issues that create problems in your relationship.

• Breakdown in communication

• Health issues

• Money problems

• Conflicts with children or grandchildren

• Anger issues

• Domestic abuse

• Infidelity

• Substance abuse

Therapy goals may be specific: behavior changes, relationship skill-building, ways to better communicate, eating disorders, or a better understanding of your gender identity. Therapy can also help reduce anxiety, build self-esteem, develop communication skills and conflict resolution, or help them better understand their identity. The length of treatment depends on the complexity and severity of the area of concern.

A goal could be to assist the adolescent in identifying what situations make them anxious. Identify triggers and consequences for the anxious behavior. Help them to define what their “anxious” behavior looks like for them. Develop relaxation techniques and desensitization strategies to help them feel more comfortable in situations that increase their anxiety.

Therapy is developed based on the unique needs of each adolescent. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic treatment that helps the client identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that negatively influence behavior and emotions.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on changing a person’s automatic negative thoughts that can contribute to and worsen emotional difficulties, depression, and anxiety. These spontaneous negative thoughts have a detrimental influence on mood.

Through CBT, these thoughts are identified, challenged, and replaced with more objective, realistic views.

Family systems theory conceptualizes the family as a system. The family consists of interrelated parts, each impacting the other and contributing to the growth (or detriment) of the other. Further, the family is constantly changing, self-organizing, and adapting to its members and the outside environment. The idea of a family operating as a system is a more recent perspective of human growth and development. 

Motivational interviewing is collaborative and works to create a partnership communication pattern between the client and therapist. The therapist seeks to create a positive interpersonal atmosphere where a drawing out of motivation from the client is allowed. In motivational interviewing, responsibility for change is left to the client, and the overall goal is to increase intrinsic motivation so that change arises from within rather than being imposed.