If asked, most of us would say that our mental health is very important and that it is significantly related to our overall health.  However, most people find it difficult to tell when it's time to seek the help of a mental health professional.  Please know that you are not alone.  Millions of people experience some of the issues listed below, and those who seek help can and do improve.

Here are some common events, situations, and feelings that cause people to enter therapy:

• Facing a major life transition such as marriage, birth of a child, separation, or death of a loved one
• Career changes or dissatisfaction with work
• Drinking or using drugs in a way that causes problems for you or your loved ones
• Dealing with a loved one with an addiction
• Repeating the same bad relationships over and over
• Problems concentrating
• Dwelling on past events that one cannot change
• Feeling extreme guilt or self-blame
• Communication difficulties/arguments with friends or family
• Feeling sad, down or depressed, hopeless or helpless
• Feeling stressed, anxious, or panicked
• Fatigue, decreased energy, lack of enthusiasm for life
• Sleep problems
• Appetite issues - overeating or lack of appetite

Sometimes, we can talk to a family member, friend, religious advisor, or other person about these issues, and we can find some relief.  However, if relief doesn't come from a casual "counselor", or if you feel that you just can't talk with someone you know, it may be time to seek professional help.

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What happens in psychotherapy?

Therapy is learning process.  We work together to determine the specific issues that are causing you distress, and we create a plan to help you embrace change.

My style of therapy is firmly rooted in establishing a safe, trusting, non-judgmental environment where we can together examine how you have arrived at this place of distress, and what could be done differently in order to move to a place of more healthy living.  I will help you cut through the haze of your problems and more clearly see your situation for what it truly is.  I will ask you questions, point out things I observe, and ask you to consider new ways of thinking.  Sometimes, I will give you things to do outside of our sessions - writing or observing or trying new behaviors.

I will help you identify what strengths you currently have and help you build new strengths to help you not only better cope with your present situation, but also to help you in the future.  Some strengths commonly built in therapy include insight, optimism, putting troubles into perspective, and finding purpose.  I will help you see that there is hope for change now and in the future.

By working in therapy, you can:

• Develop more satisfying relationships

• Improve communication skills

• Explore life transitions

• Better manage stress, anxiety, and pain

• Work through grief and depression

• Recover from addiction

• Move through emotional blocks

• Deepen personal growth

• Enhance creativity and self-expression

• Develop self-acceptance

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Practical issues of entering therapy

How do I get started?  Simply give me a call at 408-234-4210 and we will briefly discuss your situation and whether I can help.  Then, we will set up an appointment to meet face-to-face.

How long is a meeting?  Therapy sessions last 50 minutes.

How long will I need to go to therapy?  Everyone is different.  Some people only need a few sessions in order to sort things out.  Others choose to learn about deeper issues within themselves and commit to taking the longer time necessary to do so.  We will work together to establish goals for your treatment; we will check in frequently to see how we are progressing toward those goals; and we will reassess once those goals are met.

What are the fees?  My fee falls within the middle range of what Bay Area psychologists charge for their services.  Please note that I am not on any insurance panels.  If you find your insurance carrier will reimburse for out-of-network mental health providers, I will provide you with a statement that you can send to your carrier.

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