Psychotherapy
I have years of experience as a psychotherapist. It is the most gratifying part of my work. I am honored to participate with patients as they work hard to grow and change. My feeling about successful therapies is that the key elements are empathy, trust and compassion. Theoretical perspectives and biases are much less important in comparison. When people feel safe and can have an honest and open ongoing conversation about their concerns, hopes and fears then change will follow. Psychotherapy is fundamentally an educational experience in which people grow and change. Beliefs and ideas that evolve in therapy are lasting. In this respect therapy is a far superior treatment than medications for many problems and conditions. Medications are only active when they are in your body, whereas psychotherapy can have lasting effects. Sessions are 50 minutes in duration and are optimally scheduled weekly. The work of psychotherapy often takes place between sessions when ideas are translated into actions and experience. The commitment required is of a very high level.