INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
The process of individual psychotherapy, “therapy” for short, can be described as an interactive process in which we both try to increase your capacities for successful and enjoyable living.
As you tell me about troubling events or feelings and thoughts, my task is to listen and to discern what patterns of meanings and relationships are being played out, often unrecognized, and then to develop better ways of dealing with relationships and with internal experience. Usually, this requires examining old patterns of thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes that cause painful emotions such as anxiety, avoidance, depression, social isolation, and feeling overwhelmed. As this work proceeds, and successful experiences and behaviors start to become practiced, more realistic, adaptive and enjoyable modes of thinking, feeling, increased self-regard and greater self-awareness start to be experienced. Essentially, this can be regarded as providing you with an expanded psychological “toolbox” with which to deal with life’s requirements. Obviously, this is a process requiring regularly scheduled meetings, at least weekly when possible. Sometimes, these goals can be reached without a lengthy course of therapy. Other times a more extensive course is indicated.
COUPLES THERAPY
Couples often arrive stating that they are having “communication problems,” which is an “umbrella”term needing clarification. Usually the participants have come to see each other as adversaries rather than partners, and engage in “contests” rather than friendly discussion. Couples therapy is an opportunity to air these mischaracterizations of each other and to utilize the therapist’s input to regain the sense of partnership that was formerly present. This process may require exploring how each person may be bringing into their relationship patterns of perception and meanings that were part of one’s past and which are being re-enacted with one’s partner. Effective therapy will bring these patterns into the open and foster engagement with each other based upon greater understanding , caring, enjoyment, and mutual satisfactions.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress management counseling involves examination of the specific life circumstances tht are considered to be stressors and to clarify how these circumstances are seen as “dangers” to oneself. Often overlooked is that the experience of feeling stressed is a response to a perceived danger that is exaggeratedly feared because of one’s prior experience, expectations, patterns of self-criticism and tendencies to feel “overwhelmed” by events, demands or thoughts. Predispositions to excessive “worried” thinking is almost always involved. Further, since the stress response affects both mind and body I will these effects and suggest ways of increasing control of your reactions, both psychological and behavioral.
LIVING WITH CARDIAC ILLNESS
Emotional aspects of cardiac illness can be as problematic as the physical aspects themselves. These emotional aspects can affect self-identity, changed abilities to function in occupational, social and physical spheres. Reactions of family to the illness are particularly important . I have studies these issues and offer the opportunity to address them in therapy to regain a realistic sense of possibilities and prospects. This can be done in individual sessions or with significant others.
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