I am accustomed to coping with problems on my own. are people who go to therapy not able to handle their own dilemmas?

It is understandable that it can feel as though there is a stigma in initiating and attending therapy appointments. In some cases this perception may originally come from our family of origin, our friends and / or our communities. Attending therapy is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength highlighting self-awareness and a desire to attend to you or your family’s needs. As Steve Goodier, freelance writer states, “Of course we need to accept ourselves as we are, but we can’t stop there. We also need to value ourselves enough to make needed changes.” With guidance and support from a therapist, you can feel confident that you are doing the true work, which takes strength and commitment. As quoted in Peter Gabriel’s song “Digging in the Dirt”,

This is for real
Digging in the dirt
Stay with me, I need support
I'm digging in the dirt
To find the places I got hurt
Open up the places I got hurt

In our work together, I will help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the signifcance of the challenges you are facing.

What’s the difference between talking to A professional or my friends and family members?

When working with a therapist, there is an opportunity to access neutral, open-minded feedback and support to allow for your own processing and ultimately arrival to your own conclusions as to which course of action or direction you would like to take. A psychotherapist can help you to regard your situation in a new or different manner - introduce new coping skills, assist with gaining fresh perspectives, offer you unconditional positive regard (acceptance with understanding and without judgment) and help you to move towards listening and trusting your true self. Additionally, what is discussed in therapy, stays in therapy and is confidential within specific limits (limits to confidentiality will be discussed and reviewed at the onset of therapy). You will not have to concern yourself with key figures in your life weighing on what you should or should not do.

Should i just take medication?

Medication can absolutely be of assistance in helping to ameliorate or decrease negative or unwanted emotions and behaviors, but using it as the only means by which to attend to those issues is not ideal for long-term consistency in desired changes. Once stabilized on medication, therapy can assist with processing and exploring additional coping mechanisms to be used either in conjunction with medication ongoing, or in lieu of medication altogether in the future. And sometimes medication is needed in concurrence with therapy. Our collaboration is constructed to process, explore and restore resolution to the challenges and discomfort you are experiencing and broaden your strength-base in order to achieve the intentions you have set for yourself.

How does therapy work? What is expected of me during sessions?

Each person is unique in their goals and intentions of what they would like to accomplish in therapy, making the journey of therapy a different experience for each individual. I adjust and acclimate my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.

What is Art Therapy?

As defined by the American Art Therapy Association, which can be accessed at www.arttherapy.org, ‘Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.

Art Therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art Therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.

Art therapists are master-level clinicians who work with people of all ages across a broad spectrum of practice. Guided by ethical standards and scope of practice, their education and supervised training prepares them for culturally proficient work with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Honoring individuals’ values and beliefs, art therapists work with people who are challenged with medical and mental health problems, as well as individuals seeking emotional, creative, and spiritual growth.

Through integrative methods, art therapy engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication, which can circumvent the limitations of language. Visual and symbolic expression gives voice to experience, and empowers individual, communal, and societal transformation.’

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy is defined by the EMDR Institute at www.emdr.com as ‘EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.’

Why work with a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)?

Detailed information on the benefit of selecting a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist can be found at the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists website at www.camft.org under the ‘About Us’ tab. This is an excellent resource to assist you in completing your research and making a decision about the type of professional you may choose to work with.

How many sessions will i need - what is the length of time i will be in therapy?

A person’s life situation is unique to them so the length of time needed in therapy to allow you to achieve your goals depends on your motivation for personal growth, your commitment to the process and the considerations that are prompting you to seek therapy to begin with.

I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?

Your commitment to the process is of the utmost importance and the driving force behind long-term, sustainable changes. Recognizing the difficulty that can be inherent in this process also demands that you work towards being kind and patient with yourself - you will be ‘digging in the dirt’ and will need to practice self-care and understanding in order to allow yourself to truly move through what needs to gain closure and a sense of peace.