Treatment Philosophy and Methods
My approach is active, compassionate and goal oriented. My areas of expertise include relationships, couples therapy, stress management, depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting, learning, and career development. I work with clients to replace negative, rigid or chaotic patterns with creative, positive and fulfilling new directions. My three major services are listed below and are offered in Manhattan (UWS), Norwalk, Connecticut, or by Skype.
Individual Therapy
I have a gift for seeing the best in people, even during times when they are struggling and feeling at their worst. The collaborative process at the center of each focused, goal directed therapy session is a powerful catalyst for transforming personal narratives. Clients are guided to overcome obstacles and move in positive and proactive ways to cultivate health in their relationships and overall well being. In my 3 decades of practice, many clients report that individual therapy helped to set them firmly on the path to more purposeful, creative, and productive lives.
Couples Therapy
I see couples who seek assistance in resolving acute and/or ongoing issues or with couples who simply wish to enhance and maintain the strengths of their partnerships. Our work together will explore the foundational health of the union in order to optimize well being and minimize the negative impact of stress. My approach includes principles from the Gottman Couples Therapy Method which emphasizes the teaching of skills to use outside the therapy room. The Gottman model of healthy marriage, summarized in the “Sound Relationship House”, will be incorporated into the take home blueprint for a thriving and resilient partnership. Couples complete an online assessment before the first session. When we meet we start with what brings you to therapy, what you wish to accomplish, the history and philosophy of your relationship, your area of concerns, and your goals for treatment. I then share my impressions and recommendations and together we establish mutually agreed upon goals for the therapy. My goal is to work as efficiently as possible toward resolution and to move toward phasing out of therapy meetings. Follow up sessions are recommended to insure that all gains made continue.
Intensive Couples Therapy
This service is for couples who wish to address one or more pressing key issues as quickly and thoroughly as possible. The schedule is tailored to the needs of each couple. Options include up to 5 hours per day of therapy. The time frame developed by the Gottman Institute (15 hours of therapy over the course of 2 to 4 days) is very effective for many couples. It begins with an online assessment which I review before we meet. In the first hour or two we will discuss what brings you to therapy, what you wish to accomplish, the history and philosophy of your relationship, your area of concerns, and your goals for treatment. I then share my impressions and recommendations and together we establish mutually agreed upon goals for your therapy. Your issues are then thoroughly addressed, the skills best suited for coping with your concerns are taught and practiced, and a plan for incorporating all of this into your relationship is developed. Many couples feel that this short-term, intensive format allows them to reset the trajectory of their relationship.
