I work one-on-one with adults and adolescents using an integrative approach. I have a comprehensive toolbox and work collaboratively with clients to determine which tool fits the situation best. Some therapists adhere only to a particular modality, but I try to use all the tools available to find out which one works best for each client.

With individual sessions, the client and I determine early on what their goals are for therapy. These may be concrete S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-specific.

For example, a client may have concrete goals around alleviating their depression – let’s say they want to eliminate or reduce bouts of crying from every weekday to twice a week, so we set a specific goal to help them achieve that.

Goals can also be more loose, such as supportive therapy, increased self-aspiration or self-awareness, improved insights, better communication, or simply gaining more coping skills.

Regardless of an individual’s needs in therapy, the goals are always collaborative. It is easy for me to determine what I think the client needs, but it is critical for the goals to be something that they want to achieve – otherwise, they are less likely to put in as much effort. The goals must be collaborative and we must work as a team.