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How We Can Help

Our therapists can work with people to address a number of problems of living. The initial step in treatment is called assessment. The therapist will learn from you what is distressing you and what you would like to change about your life. In addition, your therapist will obtain information about your current life situation and past important events in your history. Sometimes psychological questionnaires or tests may be used to obtain additional information. The purpose of the assessment is to understand what your needs are and how to best address them.

After the assessment is completed, the therapist will devise a plan in collaboration with you to improve the problems you are having. Your therapist will suggest a treatment approach that he or she thinks will be most helpful to you. Part of the treatment recommendation may include referral to other healthcare professionals. For example, it may become apparent that there might be a medical condition present which could be affecting your psychological well being. Your therapist will collaborate with your primary care physician or medical specialist, or recommend someone if you do not have a physician.

There are a variety of treatment options available. In most cases, you will work individually with a therapist. In some instances, it may be more effective to have other people such as family members participate in treatment. For example, if the goal is to improve relations within a committed relationship, having the other person participate might be recommended. This is called marital or couples therapy. In family therapy, parents, children, siblings, or even friends may be invited to join the individual receiving treatment to meet with the therapist.

Our therapists often have specialized training in treatment approaches, which can be especially helpful for particular problems. We have therapists with specialized training in cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, hypnosis, mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy, expressive therapy, art therapy, biofeedback, and marital and couples therapy.