Getting Started
If you do come to see me, I expect you will want to find out whether I have the expertise that will be helpful to you in dealing with issues that you have not been able to resolve on your own.
The following will give you an idea of how I might proceed in a first session.
Initially, I inquire as to “What brings you here?” and then I listen to what you have to say. I ask questions based on what I think is important to know about you and your situation, concerns, etc. I pay attention to what you say and what you don’t say, to your thoughts and to your feelings. I ask for clarification/elaboration if I need more information or am not sure I understand correctly what you are telling me.
We then make a decision about how to move forward.
If your goal in therapy is to learn constructive techniques which will help you to manage better, I work with you in that direction. My skill in using short term solution-focused therapy derives from many years of work in the employee assistance field, attending workshops, and reading. There is a range of strategies and techniques that can help you to change your perspective and approach to problems. Practicing and using these tools leads to heightened coping skills and promotes the feeling that you, not your problems, are in charge of your life.
On the other hand, if you are interested in personal growth and understanding as a basis for change, then we will focus there. Through my studies and training at The Toronto Psychoanalytic Society, I gained expertise in helping individuals and couples understand the source of their troubles. I believe that if you are aware of and understand the source, you are better able to focus your efforts in a logical and effective way. The development of awareness and understanding is an investment that will allow you to generalize from one situation to another so that you can use what you learn to help yourself.
Overall, I work flexibly to try to assist you in dealing with the issues that
are interfering with your ability to lead a satisfying life.
