Individual Therapy

Our lives are ever-changing…

… and sometimes we need help navigating those changes.

Individual therapy is the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a trained professional and work on issues like anger, depression, anxiety, relationships, parenting, school, career, and more.

Perhaps you feel a level of anxiety that goes much deeper than your average day-to-day stress. With that kind of stress, you might feel annoyed by things that are on your mind.

You woke up late for work or school, and traffic is fighting you every step of the way, including hitting every red light. The printer is out of paper. These items may be easier for you to deal with and don’t go beyond an annoyance.

However, when you begin to think about different issues non-stop, it might become a problem. When the issue isn’t just waking up late for work… it’s waking up late for work because you spent the night tossing and turning, worrying about being late.

Maybe worrying about where you stand with the bills and the potential of losing your business or your home makes sleep a luxury. These thoughts stay in your mind, and you sometimes feel as though you can’t think straight or concentrate. You may lash out in anger without understanding the trigger. You may even feel pain in your body that you didn’t feel before the multiple stressors. When the anxious thoughts become so powerful you can no longer function normally, it might be time to reach out for help.

Depression can hit us like a truck.

You might be going on about your life one day, and suddenly, your sunny day is turned to sadness. Sometimes the source is not clear. You might experience depression in waves and do not know why. All you know is some days you’re smiling and laughing with those you love and other days you want to be alone.

The source may be clear such as negative thoughts about yourself or losing a loved one. Depression slows a person down, sometimes even to a complete stop. Every day is a struggle anew as you have little to no interest in doing anything. You may have even seen changes on the outside because of what you’ve been feeling on the inside. Be it losing weight or gaining – you notice a change. You may have thoughts that you don’t matter or that your situation is hopeless.

What’s more, you may even question if the world needs you anymore. If this is familiar and the depressive thoughts become so powerful you can no longer function, it is time to reach out for help. I understand these scenarios because I’ve been there. You’re not alone in your struggles because I see you, I hear you, and if you allow, I’ll be there with you.

These challenges make it almost impossible to go through life.

Moving from day to day feels like the greatest struggle you’ve ever faced.

Not being able to sleep because of anxious thoughts can cause diminished performance in the areas that matter most. You can’t function with your family as you would want because the fatigue is so powerful. Carrying stress and anxiety can cause significant health problems over time, adding to the number of concerns you have. Imagine the cycle of worry regarding your bills and home.

Not sleeping causes you to feel tired the next day, increasing your irritability and pushing people away. Over time, carrying those emotions causes health issues that lead to medical bills.

These, or some variation thereof, are challenges you could face if you choose not to seek help. I have observed much of the same when I work with clients who struggle with depression. The low mood and absence of motivation cause a person to isolate and keep everyone out. For example, you may attempt to cope through eating or not eating.

You may tell yourself you aren’t worthy or you’re not enough. These thoughts play on repeat in their minds until they decide there’s no way out or only one way out. These are powerful emotions, and they can cause you to feel as though you’re alone. The truth is, as long as I’m here, you’re not alone.

We’ll go wherever you need to go.

When you enter therapy, you enter into a safe space where you can confidently and confidentially explore your most private and sensitive feelings, beliefs, triggers, memories, and so much more. It’s powerful when you do this with someone you can trust.

If you need to work out something from your childhood, that’s what we’ll do.

If you’re looking for guidance as you make a major career decision, I’m happy to help.

If you’re grieving the loss of a family member, we’ll do that together.

Some concerns may take longer to resolve than others, and that’s okay. And sometimes, when you’re working on a particular issue, you’ll discover things below the surface that need to be addressed before you can proceed. That’s okay, too.

We’ll use different techniques to help you in therapy.

I use several techniques during therapy. One is called EMDR, which focuses on helping you process through many events in your life that have caused you to become “stuck” at that moment.

I use a technique called Internal Family Systems, which focuses on the different parts of you that may be at war. Have you ever said, “This part of me wants to isolate myself (for example), and the other part wants to connect?” I work with those parts to uncover the source and what is desired.

I also use CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) to help identify thoughts and emotions that lead to behaviors that lead to undesirable outcomes. We need to recognize our triggers, learn to work through them and make more effective decisions.

Besides using different kinds of therapy, we track your progress by establishing a plan for treatment and referring to it often. The goal is to help you arrive at a place where you can proceed independently, equipped with powerful tools to do so.

Our relationship is the most important thing.

Though I listed several ways I work with clients through their pain points, those aren’t the most important things that lead to healing. The most important thing is a strong therapeutic relationship between you and me. I could use none of those tools, and as long as we have a strong and effective therapeutic bond, you will see progress.

Studies have shown no matter what techniques a therapist uses, it all comes down to the therapeutic relationship. Imagine talking to someone you dislike about the most personal elements of your life. Now imagine talking to someone you do like about those same things. Big difference, isn’t it?

I use those tools because, over the years, I have seen faster and more substantial results. That said, and knowing how important that bond is, I focus on it first. I get to know you and your likes and dislikes. I display a genuine curiosity about what is happening in your life, and I’ve been known to attempt humor. Where appropriate, of course. All of this while never losing sight of our goal to help you heal and learn to cope with your experiences.

We’ll change your life in ways you never thought possible.

The world is constantly changing, and there is always something new happening in our lives. Be they singular events that steal our focus or lifelong traumas that have shaken us to our core.

But effective coping strategies can help you overcome a painful past, find joy in the present, have hope for tomorrow, and achieve the life you want.

Call me, and let’s start your journey to healing today: (215) 874-7162. I offer a free 20-minute consultation.

I’ll just ask you some questions, and if we’re a good fit, we move on to the next stage. There’s no pressure!