Individual Therapy
The best therapy results when the client feels that they and their problems are well understood by their therapist, whether or not this can happen is a matter of how well the client and therapist are matched to do work together.
It is for this reason that I encourage all of my potential clients to come in and meet with me and get a sense of my style and specialties. I also encourage them to "shop around" and meet with several therapists in the community before determining which therapist they will continue with.
Over the past 17 years I have had the opportunity to work with many different types of people and have developed specializations in certain areas and with a range of issues.
"Easy to talk to, listens, & gently guides me in the direction of getting out from under the cloud of self doubt and uncertainty I have lived with all my life."
My current specialties include:
- Life transitions related to career, family, school, and beyond
- Depression
- Generalized Anxiety, Panic and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Low self-esteem
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizoaffective Disorder
Treatment Approach
Like many professional fields, psychotherapy has its fair share of jargon. As a consumer of psychotherapy services, it's easy to feel lost in the alphabet soup of terms that float around you (like EMDR, DBT and CBT to name a few). It can feel equally hard to know which approach will work best for you-psychodynamic, narrative, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral?
My approach to working with clients is a mix. I draw from a range of treatment techniques, including psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, existentialism, and cognitive behavioral interventions. But I don’t rely on any one of these exclusively, nor do I work by any kind of formula when I am working with a client. My number one priority is getting to know you and what areas in your life are causing you the most distress. You may come to therapy already knowing the answer to this or it may feel perplexing and vague. In either case, we will spend time looking at the many factors that have shaped your story. These will include your past and present as well as your struggles and your strengths. While history is important, I don’t focus on it exclusively and choose instead to look at the whole person.
For those who want to know more about different schools of thought or different psychotherapeutic techniques, the Internet can be a great help. I encourage you to check out my links if you choose to embark on this process.
"Kerry strikes a balance between leading and listening. She creates a safe and flexible space which has allowed me to take exciting risks and face challenges. I feel respected and heard!"
What you can expect to get out of individual psychotherapy:
Much of the effectiveness of psychotherapy depends on the quality of fit between client and therapist, and on the level of curiosity, commitment and reflection both bring to the process.
As a client works to resolve their life challenges with good therapeutic help, one of two things usually changes: the client's perspective shifts, and/or their behavior shifts. When a client is able to shift even one of these, or possibly both as a result of psychotherapy, it is not uncommon for them to experience the following:
- Freedom from the thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that had previously limited and restricted their ability to live a fulfilling life
- The capacity to pursue goals and dreams that had previously felt unattainable
- An improvement in the quality of the relationships they have with those that are closest to them
- A decrease in depression, anxiety, irritability, and other "mood-state" problems
- A shift in perspective that alters their experience of things that had formerly caused distress
- New behaviors and habits that bring joy, contentment and a sense of purpose
How to get started:
You may choose to contact me via phone or email. When doing so please be sure to leave times and days that are best to reach you, as well as both home and cell numbers if you have them. I attempt to respond to all inquiries within one day of receiving them, Monday - Thursday. You can also read more in the New Client section.
Payment Information:
I am currently contracted with a number of insurance panels. If I am not contracted with your insurance I may still be able to bill your insurance if you have a PPO (Preferred Provider Plan) that allows you Out-of-Network benefits. Once we decide to set up an appointment I will gather your insurance information and have my billing service check the status of your benefits. I will then follow-up with you and we can discuss your options.
For clients who do not have health insurance I am happy to talk with you and discuss my fees and payment options.