What should I expect?  

First, I like for us to spend time figuring out exactly what’s going on- what’s really the matter- before we delve into treatment. I ask a lot of questions, and I also love to hear you talk— although I may interrupt you with more questions. I also might ask you to take some psychological tests so that it’ll be easier and quicker to understand issues of concern and decide on a shared focus of treatment. If your main concern is sleep, you’ll keep a sleep diary for a week.

Next, once there’s a shared focus, we can build a strategy to make real change.

Part of real change is tangible: you’ll learn science-based practices that you’ll put in place in your day-to-day life. It’s important to stick with it for at least six weeks so that these practices are given a chance to reach full effectiveness. This can be difficult, and I’ll help you stay motivated.

Another part of change is much less tangible, and comes from insight gained through feeling supported, understood, and from understanding yourself. For this reason, it’s important that you feel comfortable talking freely with me. The causes of anxiety and sleep problems are complex, and they’re woven into the fabric of your general life. Even with my particular style, which is focused, strategic therapy for anxiety and sleep problems, we’ll inevitably discuss many parts of your life and relationships, how you view yourself and others, how you connect with people or fail to connect, what you want from life and what frightens you, and what you know about yourself and what you wish you knew.

It’s very important that you feel comfortable talking with me, or with any other psychologist or therapist you’re considering working with. For that reason, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation.