Therapy can begin with a symptom or a larger question.
Some people begin psychotherapy because of anxiety, depression, ADHD-related difficulties, relationship problems, a transition, or a recurring pattern they want to understand. Others are functioning well in many areas but feel stuck, disconnected, dissatisfied, or uncertain about what they want next.
The work can be focused and practical or more exploratory and longer-term. The approach depends on the person, the problem, and what would be most useful.
HOW I THINK ABOUT THERAPY
Understanding patterns can create more room to change them.
My psychoanalytic psychotherapy training shapes the way I listen for recurring patterns, internal conflict, defenses, expectations, relationships, and the ways earlier experiences may still influence present choices. My child and adolescent psychiatry training adds a developmental perspective: how a person became who they are, what they adapted to, and whether those adaptations are still serving them.
Insight is not the only goal. Good psychotherapy should help a person recognize patterns earlier, make more deliberate choices, strengthen relationships, tolerate difficult feelings more effectively, and live more consistently with what matters to them.
COMMON REASONS TO BEGIN
Psychotherapy can address symptoms and the patterns around them.
Common reasons include anxiety, depression, ADHD-related difficulties, relationship problems, identity questions, work or performance pressure, family conflict, life transitions, or a recurring sense of being stuck in the same patterns.
Adults
Adult psychotherapy may focus on anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationships, work pressure, identity, transitions, recurring patterns, or questions about direction and fulfillment.
Adult psychiatryAdolescents
Therapy with adolescents may address anxiety, mood, identity, relationships, family conflict, school pressure, independence, and the developmental tasks of becoming an adult.
Child & adolescent psychiatryINTEGRATED PSYCHIATRIC CARE
Psychotherapy and medication can be considered together.
Because I provide both psychotherapy and medication management, treatment does not have to be split automatically between separate providers. For some people, therapy is the main treatment. For others, medication is useful as well. The balance can change over time.
FOCUSED OR LONGER-TERM WORK
The form of therapy should fit the question.
Some therapy is focused on a specific symptom, transition, decision, or recurring problem. Other work becomes longer-term because the issues involve relationships, identity, longstanding patterns, or broader questions about how someone wants to live. We decide together what level of depth and frequency is useful.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about psychotherapy.
What is different about psychotherapy with a psychiatrist?
Psychotherapy with a psychiatrist can integrate psychological, developmental, diagnostic, and medical perspectives. When medication is relevant, it can be considered in the context of the same ongoing treatment relationship.
Do you provide psychotherapy without medication?
Yes. For some people, psychotherapy is the main treatment and medication is not needed.
Can psychotherapy and medication be combined?
Yes. Some people benefit from both, and the balance can change over time depending on symptoms, goals, and circumstances.
Do you provide psychotherapy for adults?
Yes. Adult work may focus on symptoms, relationships, work, identity, transitions, recurring patterns, or questions about direction and fulfillment.
Do you provide psychotherapy for teenagers?
Yes. Adolescent work may address anxiety, mood, identity, family conflict, relationships, school pressure, independence, and development.
How long does psychotherapy last?
There is no single duration. Some work is focused and relatively brief; other therapy is longer-term because the questions involve longstanding patterns, relationships, identity, or broader developmental issues.
How do we decide whether psychotherapy is a good fit?
The initial assessment helps clarify what brings you in, what you hope will change, and whether psychotherapy, medication, both, or another kind of care makes the most sense.
GETTING STARTED
A consultation can clarify whether the fit makes sense.
The initial assessment gives us time to understand what brings you in and whether psychotherapy, medication, both, or another form of care is most appropriate.