Therapists in 19118

I am a clinical psychologist, parenting coach, author, and workshop leader, in practice for over 35 years. I am also a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Therapy works best as a collaborative relationship between therapist and client - a process that encourages personal growth, behavioral changes, and self-awareness. While offering my experience and perspective, I encourage an interactive, respectful, and engaged therapy process. I am currently offering individual, couples, and family therapy through teletherapy throughout PA and in PSYPACT authorized states.

Having extensive experience, I use empirically supported therapies, and have treated a wide range of ages as well as the most serious disorders. It is my belief that salient therapy treats a client in 3 different directions: top-down (spiritual dimension), inside out (healing of memories), and outside-in (Cognitive-Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). After a thorough assessment, I would identify with my client, determine problems on which to work, set appropriate goals, and determine the correct therapeutic intervention(s) to be used. Meeting those goals would be a therapeutic benchmark throughout the therapy.

I specialize in helping couples and individuals develop "connection" in their marriages and relationships. To illustrate, your partner seems "distant" lately- so you seek reassurance. Instead of providing comfort, he or she "pulls away" in anticipation of triggering an argument. In turn, your insecurity grows yet bigger. Over time, the more one mate seeks "closeness," the more the other "distances." Partners become "stuck" in painful "circles" such as "Pursue-Withdraw." Both are hurt by each others "criticism" or "coldness"- and unintentionally trigger their mates' invisible "raw spots." Even if identified, "vulnerabilities" are difficult to discuss constructively without a "translator" (therapist).

My clients describe me as warm, engaging, thoughtful and funny, but also as direct, challenging, and focused; seeking out the hard and stuck places in their approach to living and loving. I don't try to convince my clients that life is easy or carefree, but I do believe a lot of contentment with life and acceptance of the self can be found when we face and come to terms with our truths. Unlike many folks offering therapy services, I have engaged in extensive education and training, in analytically informed psychotherapy, which I belief enriches and deepens the work.