Treatment Philosophy

My approach is evidence-based and includes techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

If you are looking for a “traditional talk therapist”, please call someone else.  Even without meeting you, I can honestly tell you that I am not the right therapist for you.  But that’s okay; there are plenty of other psychologists who will be happy to meet with you week after week and just talk about your problems.

If we work together, my approach will involve much more than just talking.  It will be based on action, it will be embedded in your real life (not just my office), and I will ask you to work on things outside of our sessions together.  These things are essential for you to make meaningful progress and improve your quality of life.

With that being said, it’s important for you to know that everyone struggles with motivation.  Everyone struggles with change. Everyone struggles with doubt.   The people who hunger most for change are often the people that are the least confident that they will be successful with it.  I both understand and expect this.  If you are 100% sure that you want to change and 100% confident that you can successfully change, you probably don’t need me.  However, for those of you who experience some doubt, uncertainty, or confusion over what you want or how to get there, recognize that this is perfectly normal and that therapy can help you address these concerns.

The graduate program where I completed my Ph.D. was heavily research-based, and the values I developed there continue to inform my practice daily.  Although many psychologists in South Florida claim to be practicing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy that is supported by many years of scientific research, if you look at what they’re actually doing, you’ll often find that it is CBT in name-only.  In addition to practicing true CBT, I continually draw on my training in other evidence-based treatments such as motivational interviewing (MI), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).  I find that this combination of approaches allows me to uniquely connect with my clients and pave the way for change.

Read more about my approach to treatment in one of my blog posts here.