Psychotherapy helps people overcome stress, emotional problems, relationship difficulties, or even habits. You and I will talk about what is bothering you and what changes you would like to make to balance your life. Since I practice Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy, we will work together to identify and understand your problems regarding how your thoughts affect your feelings, affect your behavior; or do with your feelings.
We will establish a plan on how to work through the upsets; you will learn skills and tools to help you move in the proper direction. I will help you work in the “here and now” rather than dwell on the past. While your past is important, it is how you let the past interfere with your present, which will ultimately impact your future.
When you make an appointment to come in for therapy, it’s natural to think, “How can a total stranger help me?” However, after we have our first phone conversation and set up an appointment, I expect that we will no longer be strangers. A relationship based on trust is essential for your success. All you must bring to our session is a desire for change, and I will share with you a belief that a constructive goal can be reached that I will help you attain. I will guide you through your journey, and you will come away with a better understanding of yourself and how you relate to others.
Being a former elementary school teacher with a Master of Science degree in Education; the mother of three sons, and a new grandma to the cutest baby boy; working with children and adolescents comes naturally to me. Of course, I also include the parents in my therapy program. I begin the first session by seeing the entire family and then seeing your child regularly, with the parents returning for parenting tips and discussing successful methods to help you help your child. I will go to the schools to advocate for your child as well. I use “Play Therapy” with the younger children and solution-focused brief therapy, role-play, and other theoretical modalities.
I also work with couples in pre-marital couples counseling and relationship concerns, marriage counseling, and divorce and separation counseling when necessary. Of course, I also work with individuals. I have been married for over 46 years and have been a nationally syndicated advice columnist for seven years.