What is the difference between a psychologist/counselor and a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in understanding how medications for mood disorders interact with the body and other medications you may be taking. Some psychiatrists may provide occasional therapy but they primarily provide medication. Psychologists/Counselors are trained professionals who specialize in understanding mental health issues. They provide counseling and do not prescribe medication.

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Should I take medication or go into psychotherapy?

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s best for you, and in some cases a combination of both medication and therapy is the right course of action.

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I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?

On the contrary. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, that for whatever reason isn’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, I’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.

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What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

As a SF trained psychotherapist, I provide an unconditional listening to my client that a close family member or friend cannot because of their emotional connection. Also, friends and family offer advice which is something I do not do. I collaborate with my client to uncover the best hope for the future in a way that a personal relationship is not willing or able to do.

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How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

Solution Focus Brief Therapy has no prescribed time limits. The time that is needed to achieve a desired outcome from the visit can happen in the initial session or over a longer time. The important thing is that the desired change occurs when the client realizes that it is possible.

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If I commit to therapy, what can I expect? How can I get the most out of therapy?

SFBT gives to you, the client, full autonomy in getting the results you want. I work with you to get your DESIRED OUTCOME from the session. That can happen in one session or as many as you decide that makes it worthwhile for you. I do not give "homework" because I do not want to take away from your autonomy in deciding for yourself what is working. I ask you to take notice of any changes that appear as a result of seeing your DESIRED OUTCOME.

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My partner and I are having problems. Should we be in individual counseling or come together?

SFBT helps you to individually and together achieve your desired outcomes. SFBT helps the couple see that both person's hopes or desired outcomes can be present while keeping the relationship intact. SFBT helps to remind the couple of what brought them together in the first place.