Psychotherapy

Cognitive therapy:

A relatively short-term form of psychotherapy based on the concept that the way we think about things affects how we feel emotionally.

Cognitive therapy focuses on present thinking, behavior, and communication rather than on past experiences and is oriented toward problem solving. Cognitive therapy has been applied to a broad range of problems including depression, anxiety, panic, fears, eating disorders, substance abuse, and personality problems.

Cognitive therapy is sometimes called cognitive behavior therapy because it aims to help people in the ways they think (the cognitive) and in the ways they act (the behavior). Cognitive therapy has, for instance, been used to help cocaine-dependent individuals become abstinent from cocaine and other substances. The underlying assumption is that learning processes play an important role in the development and continuation of cocaine abuse and dependence. These same learning processes can be used to help individuals reduce their drug use. (https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31748)

The problem-solving approach is also a cognitive–behavioral intervention geared to improve an individual’s ability to cope with stressful life experiences.

The underlying assumption of this approach is that symptoms of psychopathology can often be understood as the negative consequences of ineffective or maladaptive coping. The problem-solving approach to therapy aims to help individuals adopt a realistically optimistic view of coping, understand the role of emotions more effectively, and creatively develop an action plan geared to reduce psychological distress and enhance well-being.
Interventions include psychoeducation, interactive problem-solving exercises, and motivational homework assignments.

There is a common misconception that psychotherapy is only for people with very serious emotional problems. There are actually numerous really good reasons for deciding to enter therapy, among others:

• It might well be that you are indeed experiencing emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety, anger issues, trauma or other psychological problems;

• It could be that that life stress related to your life circumstances, work or relationships is getting you down, or that you feel directionless, frustrated, overwhelmed or unmotivated;

• You could be faced with medical problems or conditions that you are having difficulty coping with;

• You might need information or guidance relating to psychological conditions and how to manage or treat them, or that the medical condition you are living with has a psychological component that you need assistance with;

• Perhaps it could even be a simple as needing someone objective and uninvolved to talk a difficult situation through with in order to clarify options and possibilities, or;

• It could even be that you know that you are actually pretty good, but you somehow just know that you could be better – a really good, but often overlooked reason for entering therapy!

Whatever your reason for considering psychotherapy, both of us have over 25 years of experience utilizing a variety of different therapeutic approaches and techniques in addressing these kinds of challenges.

Elise offers psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, families as well as EAP and workplace related referrals. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches depending on the presenting problem and the preferences of the client, including cognitive and problem solving approaches, psycho-education, mediation, as well as clinical hypnotherapy on occasion.

Kevin offers psychotherapy for adolescents, adults, couples, families, EAP and workplace related referrals as well as mental training for athletes. He also utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches depending on the presenting problem and the preferences of the client, including BWRT, clinical hypnotherapy, cognitive and problem solving approaches, psycho-education as well as mediation.