Individuals | Couples | Family | Group | Life Coaching | Executive Coaching | Teaching
Psychotherapy: A special kind of conversation
Psychological growth and change takes place in the context of a relationship that is emotionally safe, honest, and supportive of new experience. I think of psychotherapy as a dialogue between myself and another person, a couple, or a group of people. The goal of the conversation is to explore and make sense of the client’s experience. As the conversation broadens and deepens, it becomes possible to consider new possibilities and perspectives; to understand old experiences in new ways; and to explore new ways of responding and behaving. My aim with clients is to help them understand the sources of their distress and develop more effective ways of responding to their challenges, both internal and external.
My work with people extends over time, using scheduled weekly meetings to create a sense of continuity and the deepening of shared understanding.
In addition to talking about experience, I have often found it useful to help clients develop additional tools to help them track and manage their experiences. When appropriate I will suggest that clients make use of journals, relaxation and meditation, yoga, and exercise. I think of these “tools” as ways of creating greater life balance, enhancing a sense of self control, exploring options, and generating physical well being.
Individual Psychotherapy
I offer both short term and ongoing psychodynamic psychotherapy. My approach seeks to balance the exploration of how a person’s life course has brought them to this present moment, with a focus the possibilities of change and new behaviors. My approach is direct and interactive.
Couples Therapy
I work with all couples. My focus is on communication of feeling and meaning. My usual format involves two or three initial sessions with both parties, followed by individual meetings with each partner, and then a resumption of couples meetings. The structure of the ongoing therapy may include individual work along with couples work. Family origin models are important touch stones in my work with couples. Exploring what each member saw as a model of relationship is often an important part of understanding current problems, and creating a context in which to work with what is going on. I hope to support partners in becoming newly curious about what their partners think and feel, and why they do what they do. Treatment works to create new ways of communicating about difficult feelings, exploring alternative ways of resolving conflict, and developing shared hopes.
Family Therapy
I work with blended families, and with adults and their siblings and older parents.
Interpersonal Group Therapy
Group is a unique and powerful opportunity to explore one’s own experience of life with others also committed to an authentic process of sharing history, current realities, and here and now experiences. My groups are interpersonal laboratories where members speak with as much honesty as they can about their lives and their relationships. They meet weekly. In addition to three mixed groups, I also run a men’s group for men over fifty.
Mondays 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM Mixed Group Boston
Tuesdays 7:00 AM to 8:20 AM Mixed Group Newton
Tuesdays 7:15 PM to 8:35 PM Men’s Group Newton
Wednesdays 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM Mixed Group Boston
Life Transition Coaching
The transition from one life phase to another (e.g. divorce, job change, retirement) is stressful, challenging, and full of opportunity and enjoyment. I have developed an approach which facilitates and supports these transitions. My approach helps people come to terms with their strengths and weaknesses, understand the contributions of the past, and imagine the future they would like to live. Individuals and couples.
Executive Coaching
I specialize in work with high functioning professionals and executives who have encountered interpersonal and self management problems in the work place.
• Attachment Theory and It’s Clinical Implications
Courses for clinicians include ongoing consultation seminars combining readings and clinical case material.
• It’s About Time: A Life Planning Seminar for Those 55 and Up
• Mentalizing: How We Know the Minds of Others and Ourselves
• Emotional and Social Intelligence: Self Knowledge and Social Connection
A seminar program for executives and managers.