Many therapists emphasize one specific approach to therapy (i.e. a psychodynamic approach emphasizes the past, a cognitive therapist looks at your thinking patterns, behavioral therapists look at specific behaviors, etc.). Different therapists, therefore, may view various problems as stemming from different sources such as a difficult childhood, incompetent parenting, faulty thinking patterns, peer pressure, or cultural dynamics.

I  prefer an eclectic approach designed to meet the needs of each specific client and problem within a goal oriented short-term therapy process. Taking each client’s unique history and personality into consideration, an eclectic approach may involve the use of several theories and techniques to approach a particular problem from the perspective that appears most accurate and beneficial to the client.

In some cases, I may think it important that an individual become more aware of his/her own background and history and the role his/her past may have played in the development or maintenance of current issues. Lessons from the past are sometimes useful to present decisions and planning for the future.

In other cases, I may view the history or specific cause of a particular problem as no longer relevant to the search for current solutions. In all cases, I view problem analysis and the search for answers to be a collaboration between myself and the client.

While encouraging my clients to tell their stories, I am willing to tell my story if this will benefit the client in some way. Most clients begin to feel better and more in control almost immediately, and continued progress during therapy is usually quite obvious to the client.

I frequently ask clients to complete homework assignments between sessions. These assignments may include some reading or keeping a journal to increase awareness of relevant thoughts and behavior. The assignments are designed to increase the client’s awareness and understanding of self, others, or specific situations in order to reach a more comprehensive resolution in the context of brief, time limited therapy.

Therapy with me may include some “philosophical counseling.” This is most likely in individual therapy and is an effective way of addressing the broader life issues that may be having quiet or hidden effects on the client's life.