Approach to Therapy
I strive to work collaboratively with each client to determine the best approach given the person’s needs, drawing on existential/humanistic therapy, client-centred therapy, supportive psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, dialectical-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, emotion-focused therapy, positive psychology, and training in mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Often the initial focus is more on the ‘here and now’ to help relieve distress or reach specific goals, and then to address any lifelong patterns or underlying issues that might make recurrence a possibility. My main aim is to help clients identify what is most meaningful to them in life and how to live accordingly.
Because effective therapy occurs in the context of a good working relationship between the therapist and client, the first one or two sessions are focused on a consultation to review the client’s concerns, and for us to see if we are a good fit to work together. At the end of the consultation, I make recommendations for a therapy plan and ask for the client’s feedback, or when needed I suggest alternative referrals where the client’s specific needs would be met best.