Frequently asked Questions:

What can I expect if I come to you for individual psychotherapy?

Our approach is a gentle, collaborative exploration of the client’s issues, thoughts, feelings and goals.  The relationship between client and therapist becomes a safe environment in which the client is free to explore new behaviors and forms of self-expression.  In this atmosphere of warmth and respect, the client discovers new aspects of his or her self and finds strength for growth.

What is relational psychotherapy?

Relational psychotherapy is based on the premise that we are essentially social beings.  We thrive on and learn from our relationships across the life cycle. Our sense of self, our emotional and physical health requires connection to other people.

Any two people in a relationship will at times have incompatible needs.  So, disappointment, hurt and anger are an inevitable part of relating.  How we learn to tolerate and adjust to these disappointments is crucial.  We have a need for connection and yet a need for self-protection.

Relational psychotherapy seeks to heal the tension between these two poles, and to integrate them.  It seeks to address and redress the state of tension between longing and fear, between the need for individual strength and the desire for human connection.

What kinds of individual problems do you work with?

We  help people with depression, anxiety, or panic; issues related to divorce, death, or illness, PTSD; recovery from a trauma; addictions, career and life decisions and transitions, mid-life changes, dealing with difficult people; family formation and adult/child issues.

What can we expect if we come to you for marital or couples therapy?

Our approach is to meet with the two partners together and to maintain an impartial stance, working to help each person learn to listen respectfully to the other.  Once the partners move past blaming and accusing one another, the process can move toward problem solving.  As hostility decreases and satisfaction increases, we help the couple to deepen mutual understanding, affection, and intimacy.

We may meet separately with each partner for some portion of the therapy, depending on the unique situation, and with the consent of the couple.

Can you help us prevent divorce?

Often we help couples prevent divorce.  This works best when the couple seeks therapy before their problems become entrenched.

What methods of therapy do you use?

We are skilled in many therapeutic modalities.   In collaboration with the client, we choose what works effectively and efficiently.  Generally our methods are problem-solving, humanistic and psychodynamic.   We take into consideration the biology, the psychology, and the social environment of each client as well as his or her practical problems.

Can you help me cope with elderly family members?

Yes, we help adult children solve the practical problems that arise when elderly relatives become ill or unable to take care of themselves.  And we help  family members deal with the attendant complex emotions.

Will you respect my confidentiality?

Yes.  Our professional ethics require us to maintain a strict rule of client confidentiality.  The only exceptions occur when there is child abuse or when someone’s life is genuinely threatened.  In those cases, we are mandated by law to seek help or report to a governing agency.