About Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process in which you can gain greater self-awareness and change how you live in the world and relate to others.

People seek therapy for many different reasons. You may be in crisis or experiencing painful emotional distress, or you may manage adequately on a day-to-day basis but feel dissatisfied with your life or your relationships. You may wish to experience a greater sense of well-being. You may seek more focused problem-solving counseling for a specific challenge.

There are many different approaches to counseling and therapy. Here is a brief overview of some of the most common therapy styles. Keep in mind that the categories below are a general description and in practice many therapists will combine aspects of more than one modality.

No matter what the specific technique, meta-studies of therapy confirm that at the heart of any effective treatment is a good fit between therapist and client.

Psychodynamic Therapy

…includes several branches of what began as psychoanalysis. These therapy traditions include explicit attention to matters not fully conscious to us, such as self-sabotaging behavior patterns or inexplicable feelings. Therapists using this approach help clients to pay attention to in-the-moment experience in current relationships (including the relationship between client and therapist), as well as to past experience in family and other important relationships. Dreams, fantasies, behaviors, feelings, sensations are all possible sources for discovering more about yourself.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

…focuses on helping you solve present problems in direct and practical ways. Cognitive therapy involves identifying ineffective thought patterns, negative self-talk, and maladaptive behaviors to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Changing your beliefs about yourself can lead to greater self-esteem and emotional well-being. Behavioral approaches use action-based techniques and tools to increase your sense of control and manage emotional distress.

Systems Therapy

…looks at the patterns of interaction within and between couples, families, or organizations. The systems approach often is used in family therapy and has been valuable in understanding family dynamics. It can also be used in individual psychotherapy, focusing on your past & present relationships. Systems therapy values the context in which we live, including gender, culture, sexual orientation, age, mobility and other aspects of ourselves in our environment.

Existential and Humanistic Therapies

…explore self-esteem, identity, and meaning-of-life questions. The supportive role of the therapist fosters safety and self-acceptance. These therapies emphasize what is possible and positive, and encourage personal responsibility for choices. These approaches can include an exploration of your spirituality.

Somatic and Energy Therapies

…address emotional distress, tension, and memories stored in your body. Bringing attention to physical sensation and breathing techniques are often used to access problematic areas, work through emotions, and balance your body's energy. The therapist often teaches ways to focus on and visualize inner states. These therapies can be very effective for somatic conditions or pain, and can also be helpful as an adjunct to more verbal styles of intervention.