Perhaps the best way to introduce my philosophy of psychotherapy is to give you some idea of what sessions with me are like.

Here is a session guideline statement that I give to my clients on our first or second session.

PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSION GUIDELINES

(Some of these guidelines may not apply to brief therapy, consultations, and couples work)

What do clients do in therapy? You talk and are listened to by the therapist. You can find out how as a child you adapted your situation in characteristic ways. These ways may still be operating and may be obstacles to present goals and happiness. Or you can focus more on cognitive and spiritual ways of dealing with present day concerns. Some examples of what happens in the therapy room: verbalizing thoughts and feelings about present and past experiences, discussing dreams, and thoughts and feelings about therapy. Discussions about previous sessions, spiritual solutions, and periods of silence can also be grist for the mill. Therapy may also include moments to discover, feel, and share humor, creativity, spontaneity, and joy. As an adjunct to therapy, exploration of the role of body-mind techniques to foster growth, and when appropriate, can be considered.

What do therapists do in therapy? We provide a safe, nonjudgmental place to encourage you to awaken to the truths to fulfill your potential and to realize your authentic self. We hear, search, and understand with our knowledge, experience, and feelings. We listen, but intervene when appropriate and helpful. With the mutual participation and earnestness of both the client and the therapist, a greater chance exists for you to better understand and appreciate yourself - and reach your desired goals.

It is important to remember that the therapy path usually includes periods of emotional growth, plateaus, and even setbacks. Most sessions you will find good and helpful but other sessions you may not. Look at the big picture in order to stay on track. The therapeutic experience mirrors life: It is a mixture of positive and negative experiences. As you negotiate through the process, you can move towards more understanding, maturity, and equanimity. Insights and breakthroughs most often gradually unfold when you are ready.

The duration of therapy is up to you. Ideally, however, both you and I should be in agreement as to ending. It should be discussed at least over a few sessions. Premature and sudden endings should be avoided; they often prevent the analysis of important material, the opportunity for honest communication, and understanding the ways to address conflict by means other than withdrawal.

In between sessions, you may have associations and insights stimulated by the previous session. If these associations occur, consider bringing them up in the next session. The same holds true for dreams. Likewise, during a week I may come up with thoughts and insights; these observations often enhance my understanding of your situation and can be shared with you when appropriate. Time spent during the week slowing down the usual thought processes and emptying the mind will facilitate the functioning of your intuitive faculties. Such activities may include exercise, walking, deep breathing, massage, meditation, gardening, yoga, qi gong, and t'ai chi.

From my experience as a psychotherapist and from my own life experiences, I have concluded that there are four basic ways to deal with anxiety, depression, and other physical and mental disturbances:

First. Learn to tolerate and to adapt to the problem with the support of the therapist and/or other supportive people and groups. Reduce the anxiety about being anxious. Some anxiety is part of life, and in many cases, can ultimately be beneficial.

Second. Learn to understand and analyze the source of anxiety and depression. With this understanding, feelings of powerlessness can be overcome.

Third. Find relief in natural techniques and modalities, including relaxation techniques such as rhythmic breathing, yoga stretching, t'ai chi chih, qi gong, imagery, affirmations, meditation, prayer, and herbs and supplements.

Fourth. Move closer to your spiritual identity and real self. This awareness increases ones capacity to tune in to a higher power, love, guidance, protection.

My clinical practice is eclectic, since in includes many theories and techniques, such as psychoanalytic, relational, cognitive, brief, existential, and combinations thereof.  Recently I have added another modality to my toolbox by learning about control mastery principles.  Its theory and practice is the result of many years of scientific research, as to how psychotherapy helps clients to overcome erroneous beliefs that have obstructed full growth.        

I have also been influenced in the area of existential philosophy and spirituality by the works of metapsychiatrist, Thomas Hora, MD and healer Joel S. Goldsmith.

In understanding relationships of individuals and couples, I have learned much from the ideas of Howard Markman, PHD, John Wellwood, PHD, John Gottman, PHD, and Terrence Real, MSW.