I believe that psychotherapy should be geared to meet your individual needs and comfort level. I view the therapist to be a provider of objective understanding. I am not someone who adheres to one particular way of thinking or working; I use behavioral knowledge to help you explore, address and improve whatever situation/conditions you feel needs improving. In other words, the desired outcome is usually one where you will have some relief from whatever problem(s) brought you to therapy.

I give you, the client, 100 percent of my time and focus during your therapy session. In between sessions, l professionally and practically review your case, in preparation for your next appointment. It is helpful to develop initial or "short-term" goals of therapy. This sets the tone for a more effective focus of treatment.

Most of the focus of treatment will include discussion about your current problems and concerns in a safe, understanding, and confidential environment. Homework assignments, such as journaling or completing tasks may also be offered as an option for you to complete between therapy sessions. Helpful referrals to other sources/groups/classes or health providers are often given to enhance treatment.

I believe that the past has a direct impact on the present. While focusing on the "here and now" is very important, there are often times patterns that are "multi-generational." This means that family history, such as your interactions with and between other family members may be repeating in your life today. Identifying the less healthy aspects of these patterns is helpful in breaking the cycle of dysfunction. While exploring and understanding your past can be a process of release and vindication, the present time is the only area that you have control over, with the option to change.

I believe that your psychological well-being can be significantly improved. Psychotherapy is an appropriate form of treatment for many different problems, such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, addictions, compulsive behaviors and eating disorders. This treatment does NOT include specific medical or legal advice. Referrals will gladly be given for any needs that cannot be provided from your therapy.

Wellness

The term "wellness" refers to your overall state of health and well-being.  I believe this is an important concept, because consideration/evaluation is given to all areas of health, life, body and mind.  The five identified areas are:  Social, Emotional, Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual.  The wellness theory suggests that these different components of life must be in a general state of balance; the degree of healthiness from one area automatically influences the level of the others.  Wellness is something to think about.  How well are you?  If you are not happy, the seemingly simple question to ask might be: Why?  While striving for a constant state of perfection in all five areas is unrealistic, it is helpful to consider the implications of how your overall state of health might be improved.

For example, if you have a headache and don't feel good, you are less likely to be as focused or clear (psychological) and you may not interact positively with others (social).  Similarly, if you were suffering from depression, you may be feeling lethargic physical symptoms and have less desire to socialize. The inter-dependence of all other wellness components is quite pronounced.  For this reason, physical exercise has been identified as having an anti-depressant effect.

Therefore, I believe the concept of wellness plays a critical role in psychotherapy.  Applying more focus on one area, for example, may impede the potential for success in your general state of well-being.  For example, focusing only on the physical body, but disregarding other areas might prove to be less effective than evaluating and addressing all areas, including psychological. 

Some rhetorical questions to consider: 

If you quit using drugs and alcohol, would you now be healthy?  If you go to counseling and complain each session, but resist change, are you making significant progress?  If you lose weight, have plastic surgery, win the lottery, or make some new friends, will you then be happy and less depressed?  If you started taking anti-depressant medications, but didn't seek psychotherapy, would your depression vanish?

Think of wellness as a more thorough, effective approach to apply to self-improvement, which facilitates psychotherapy and counseling.

The Five Areas of Wellness

SOCIAL	Relationships, friends, family, community, leisure, fun, life, interaction
EMOTIONAL	Expression of feelings, level of happiness, sense of well being
PHYSICAL	Physiological / presence of disease, healthiness, appearance
PSYCHOLOGICAL	Mental health, Underlying mood and thoughts that influence feelings
SPIRITUAL	Degree of faith, hope, confidence in self or other, religious beliefs

Boundary Issues

A 'boundary' technically means: a border or limit. Human beings have emotional, psychological and physical boundaries; similar to the way a map or a country has boundaries marking areas or territories. I think of the concept of boundaries in many different ways. Rules, consequences, comfort levels, choices, space, capacity to empathize, trust, commitment, values, behavior, self-control and responsibility.

Mental illness often times originates from the development and perpetuation of unhealthy boundaries. These are also referred to as "boundary violations" Boundary violations can precipitate self-destructive behavior patterns such as compulsions and substance abuse. Exploring boundaries can assist in greater understanding of interactions and relationships with others.

Therapy is an excellent forum for learning how to establish appropriate boundaries both personally and interpersonally. Becoming more aware of what functional boundaries are, how to set them, and how to honor them, can dramatically reduce discomfort and discontent.

Healthier VS Unhealthy Boundaries