Techniques
When looking for a therapist, choose the therapist first and the technique second as it will be more effective. In my practice I use mainly two models, talk therapy and solution focused to help clients address the issues in their lives.
Talk Therapy
As the name suggests, it allows you just to talk about anything you want and themes from these discussions will be analysed. You begin to center into the problems that are affecting you most and then decide which problem should be addressed first. Here you can vent and talk about topics without judgement and with compassion and empathy.
Solution Focused
This is a therapy that is goal-oriented and typically concentrates on one issue. This therapy looks at solutions to a particular problem and uses the here and now approach. What we can do today rather than discuss issues related to your past is the main component of this therapy. It is also known as Brief Therapy, but I use the word brief much more liberally than the word and model suggests. Problems can sometimes be fixed in one session and for others it may take months. Therapy ends when you feel that you have the solution to address the problems that were interfering in your life and that solution was effective.
Connecting with Your Therapist
More than the actual therapy techniques, the most important factor in therapy is connection to the therapist. Research has been quite clear that 80% of affective change is due to the relationship between yourself and your therapist. The therapist has to be the right fit. You want a therapist that you can trust, someone you can build rapport, and someone who is non-judgemental. If you find this, you are more likely to be successful in your therapy goals.
I will challenge you, call you out on your current thought process and push for answers. I will not treat you as fragile. The goal is to help you move forward. Please reach out to learn more about my therapy approach and services and to see if we are a good fit.