My friendly, courteous, and calm disposition will foster a safe and welcoming environment conducive for psychotherapy. I strive to maintain a good therapeutic alliance with patients, given the correlation between positive treatment outcomes (for most patients) and the therapeutic relationship.
Issues that I address in therapy range from: depression, loss, stress, relationship issues, anger, stress, and anxiety-related challenges.
Approaches: I use a blended, client-centered approach to ensure that the agree-upon intervention is supportive and effective. During the planning phase, I conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment (for a wholistic view of the patient’s strengths, and areas of need). The prior phase is seconded by a collaborative treatment planning stage (to develop/clarify treatment goals and mechanisms for achieving goals, as well as, measuring treatment effectiveness).
My treatment plans highlight specific treatment approaches such as: Dialectical Behavior therapy, CBT, or Supportive therapy and how the methods are implemented. When it comes to therapeutic methods, approaches, or philosophies, I defer to the most effective approach depending on the presenting concerns. This means that sometimes I use an eclectic approach involving more than 2 theoretical techniques.
Specific approaches:
In my years of clinical practice, I have noticed the following recurring themes amongst my patients who experience depression and stress-related disorders: feelings of powerlessness, loss, loneliness, and sadness. Fears, negative emotions, anxiousness, and isolation.
Given the key role I play in the treatment process, I consider it important to ensure that the therapy session provides a safe and open atmosphere conducive for the patient. I believe that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is crucial in order to foster open communication, change and wellness. I strive to empathically engage the patient in treatment and support his/her quest for change.
The therapeutic alliance provides a non-judgmental, reassuring, and honest environment for the patient seeking counselling view. I view this as a key component of the therapeutic alliance/relationship. Every human being should be treated with respect and dignity irrespective of their stressors or struggles. During the therapy process, my interactions with the patient include but not limited to: careful/active listening, reflect content, articulate an appreciation of the client’s time and participation. Encouraging patient’s participation in the treatment planning, inquiring about client’s expectations of therapy, openly discussing any potential barriers. Reviewing clients progress and satisfaction with treatment.
Very important that I am self-aware with an ongoing ability to manage my biases well.
How do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap? My philosophy on life is that every individual is important and unique. Hence, treatment planning and treatment approaches must be client-centered, collaborative, and supportive with wellness as the overarching goal.
It is humbling to realize that I play a key part in guiding patients through personal challenges, see patients decrease emotional challenges and become self-empowered to achieve positive goals (graduate from school, remarry again, survive trauma, etc.). I believe firmly in my values, correlating with social work values (love, respect, human dignity, overcoming challenges and the power of human relationships). The joy of seeing patients improve in several domains of life and achieve their profession and personal goals.
Issues that I address in therapy range from: depression, loss, stress, relationship issues, anger, stress, and anxiety-related challenges.
Approaches: I use a blended, client-centered approach to ensure that the agree-upon intervention is supportive and effective. During the planning phase, I conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment (for a wholistic view of the patient’s strengths, and areas of need). The prior phase is seconded by a collaborative treatment planning stage (to develop/clarify treatment goals and mechanisms for achieving goals, as well as, measuring treatment effectiveness).
My treatment plans highlight specific treatment approaches such as: Dialectical Behavior therapy, CBT, or Supportive therapy and how the methods are implemented. When it comes to therapeutic methods, approaches, or philosophies, I defer to the most effective approach depending on the presenting concerns. This means that sometimes I use an eclectic approach involving more than 2 theoretical techniques.
Specific approaches:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (to focus on here/now, develop healthy coping mechanisms to counter stress, and regulate emotions)
- Supportive therapy: Involving therapeutic techniques such as: active listening, validation of patient’s feelings, reflect content, provide feedback/guidance, assign homework.
- Cognitive-behavior therapy: self-awareness, cognitive reframing, journaling, self-monitoring, positive behavior activation etc.
- Problem-solving approach: Short-term, focused on using the 4 problem-solving steps
- Interpersonal therapy: To enhance interpersonal relationships.
In my years of clinical practice, I have noticed the following recurring themes amongst my patients who experience depression and stress-related disorders: feelings of powerlessness, loss, loneliness, and sadness. Fears, negative emotions, anxiousness, and isolation.
Given the key role I play in the treatment process, I consider it important to ensure that the therapy session provides a safe and open atmosphere conducive for the patient. I believe that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is crucial in order to foster open communication, change and wellness. I strive to empathically engage the patient in treatment and support his/her quest for change.
The therapeutic alliance provides a non-judgmental, reassuring, and honest environment for the patient seeking counselling view. I view this as a key component of the therapeutic alliance/relationship. Every human being should be treated with respect and dignity irrespective of their stressors or struggles. During the therapy process, my interactions with the patient include but not limited to: careful/active listening, reflect content, articulate an appreciation of the client’s time and participation. Encouraging patient’s participation in the treatment planning, inquiring about client’s expectations of therapy, openly discussing any potential barriers. Reviewing clients progress and satisfaction with treatment.
Very important that I am self-aware with an ongoing ability to manage my biases well.
How do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap? My philosophy on life is that every individual is important and unique. Hence, treatment planning and treatment approaches must be client-centered, collaborative, and supportive with wellness as the overarching goal.
It is humbling to realize that I play a key part in guiding patients through personal challenges, see patients decrease emotional challenges and become self-empowered to achieve positive goals (graduate from school, remarry again, survive trauma, etc.). I believe firmly in my values, correlating with social work values (love, respect, human dignity, overcoming challenges and the power of human relationships). The joy of seeing patients improve in several domains of life and achieve their profession and personal goals.