GREETINGS -- You have reached the website for Psychotherapy Associates, Here you will find information about our professional backgrounds and the services that we provide. You can also learn about the differences among the various types of mental health providers (counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists). This can take some of the guess work out of choosing a therapist. To learn more about our clinicians, click on the links above. Finally, if you are brand new to therapy or are in search of additional resources to help you get the most out of your mental health care, check out The Power of Therapy.
COUNSELING STYLE:
The foundation of an effective and satisfying counseling experience is a balanced, working relationship between counselor and client. This is achieved through skillful communication, empathy, and respect. In my experience, people benefit from being validated and being challenged. Each of our therapists seek to understand where their clients are coming from and what they hope to gain from therapy. As a result, treatment plans are culturally sensitive, and highly individualized to address the needs of each person they serve.
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY:
Our treatment philosophy is client-centered and holistic. Drawing upon an East-West approach, we are trained in current, evidenced-based practices of western psychology while also drawing from the time-honored, contemplative practices of eastern philosophy. As we work, we consider the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - and that point of view guides our treatment decisions. Ultimately, we aim to be in tune with what works best for each individual client, recognizing that there is not a one size fits all approach to life's problems.
THEORETICAL ORIENTATION:
Psychotherapy is a constantly evolving profession, with new modalities emerging constantly. Effective therapists endeavor to learn and synthesize the most useful components of all relevant treatment methods into a comprehensive system of care that is practical, flexible, and compassionate. As a result, the therapists at Psychotherapy Associates draw upon multiple modalities. Having studied a wide variety of theories and techniques we have arrived at the following conclusion: in order for therapy to be effective, there must be a balance of flexibility and structure, of both art and science.
UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH CREDENTIALS:
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy --
Choosing a mental health professional can be made easier by understanding some important distinctions. Psychotherapy or 'talk therapy' can be performed by a counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. During the time of Sigmund Freud, patients were seen by psychiatrists (medical doctors with special training in mental disorders) for lengthy psychoanalysis. Currently, the majority of psychiatrists focus primarily on assessment of mental disorders, acute care, and medication management; there are some who still provide psychotherapy.
Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists --
During the latter half of the 20th century, psychologists (practitioners with a doctoral degree in psychology) had the lion's share of the therapy market. Today many psychologists continue to provide psychotherapy, however, the percentage of master's level therapists has greatly increased. Individuals with master's degrees (counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists) provide diagnosis and treatment for mental disorders and adjustment difficulties. Master's level clinicians receive years of supervision after completing a 60 hour accredited graduate program. All technical distinctions aside, the choice of therapist ultimately depends upon finding someone with expertise and integrity whose personality and theory of change are compatible with your own.
All photos, with the exception of portraits, were taken by Joshua Newman. Joshua's portrait courtesy of Risa Scott Photo.
The foundation of an effective and satisfying counseling experience is a balanced, working relationship between counselor and client. This is achieved through skillful communication, empathy, and respect. In my experience, people benefit from being validated and being challenged. Each of our therapists seek to understand where their clients are coming from and what they hope to gain from therapy. As a result, treatment plans are culturally sensitive, and highly individualized to address the needs of each person they serve.
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY:
Our treatment philosophy is client-centered and holistic. Drawing upon an East-West approach, we are trained in current, evidenced-based practices of western psychology while also drawing from the time-honored, contemplative practices of eastern philosophy. As we work, we consider the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - and that point of view guides our treatment decisions. Ultimately, we aim to be in tune with what works best for each individual client, recognizing that there is not a one size fits all approach to life's problems.
THEORETICAL ORIENTATION:
Psychotherapy is a constantly evolving profession, with new modalities emerging constantly. Effective therapists endeavor to learn and synthesize the most useful components of all relevant treatment methods into a comprehensive system of care that is practical, flexible, and compassionate. As a result, the therapists at Psychotherapy Associates draw upon multiple modalities. Having studied a wide variety of theories and techniques we have arrived at the following conclusion: in order for therapy to be effective, there must be a balance of flexibility and structure, of both art and science.
UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH CREDENTIALS:
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy --
Choosing a mental health professional can be made easier by understanding some important distinctions. Psychotherapy or 'talk therapy' can be performed by a counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. During the time of Sigmund Freud, patients were seen by psychiatrists (medical doctors with special training in mental disorders) for lengthy psychoanalysis. Currently, the majority of psychiatrists focus primarily on assessment of mental disorders, acute care, and medication management; there are some who still provide psychotherapy.
Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists --
During the latter half of the 20th century, psychologists (practitioners with a doctoral degree in psychology) had the lion's share of the therapy market. Today many psychologists continue to provide psychotherapy, however, the percentage of master's level therapists has greatly increased. Individuals with master's degrees (counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists) provide diagnosis and treatment for mental disorders and adjustment difficulties. Master's level clinicians receive years of supervision after completing a 60 hour accredited graduate program. All technical distinctions aside, the choice of therapist ultimately depends upon finding someone with expertise and integrity whose personality and theory of change are compatible with your own.
All photos, with the exception of portraits, were taken by Joshua Newman. Joshua's portrait courtesy of Risa Scott Photo.