Initiating Therapy
Making the decision to seek counseling is a courageous step on the journey to emotional wellness. At Lantern of Hope, my mission is to create a safe and nurturing environment for children, adolescents, and adults who are encountering a difficult time in their lives. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, I seek to help each of my clients to recognize their inherent strengths and use them to overcome areas of personal challenge. My treatment approach is open and collaborative. I recognize that my clients are the best “experts” on themselves, but they may need support in order to create meaningful changes. I provide a variety of services based upon the needs of each client, including:
Individual therapy for adults
Individual therapy for children and adolescents
Family therapy
Parenting support
Couples therapy
Group therapy with adolescents
Consultation with physicians, teachers, and other mental health professionals
To maximize the benefits of therapy, it is important to ensure that there is a good match between the client and psychologist. I do not have expertise in treating substance abuse, personality disorders, eating disorders, or complex PTSD/trauma, although I would be happy to provide referrals for these issues.
Please contact me for a brief consultation to discuss the nature of your problem and determine if I am an appropriate match for you. After this consultation, we will set up a 50-minute initial evaluation where I will ask questions to get to know you better. This appointment allows me to get an overview of your presenting problems, family history, school and work history, and personal interests among other topics. At this time, you will have a chance to ask any questions you might have about the therapy process. We will begin to formulate your goals for therapy and discuss what components of treatment might be helpful for you.
If you decide to begin therapy after this initial evaluation, we will schedule sessions on a weekly or bi-weekly basis depending on your needs. Therapy sessions are generally 50 minutes in duration, although more complex family and couples sessions may require 90 minutes. I am available from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Monday through Friday. In certain circumstances, sessions may be scheduled outside of my regular hours.
