Counseling & Psychotherapy

This approach is tailored to the specific problem being experienced and seeks to alleviate the distress involved with the issues surrounding the problem.  There are a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques used to assist a client through these difficult times.  They can range from simple support by the therapist during the experience of the specific issues, to alternative problem solving techniques, enhancing emotional flexibility and regulation, or behavioral skills training focused on enhancing coping skills.  Counseling helps clients meet the demands of specific issues or problems more effectively.

Psychotherapy is also the application of psychological principles within a therapeutic relationship.  However, the goal of psychotherapy is to shift internal perspectives and psychological processes of the client in order for them to cope more effectively across multiple areas of their life.  Psychotherapy uses a wide variety of techniques aimed at exploring how the client internally experiences their world; through affect and mood, thought processes, and behavioral reactions.  In effective treatment, the result is a shift in their emotions, thoughts and behaviors.  When this happens, there is a secondary positive change realized in relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and an overall meaningful perspective on life.

The therapeutic relationship is a special relationship developed between a client (a person who is seeking psychological assistance) and therapist (one who is trained and licensed to provide psychological assistance to individuals).  This relationship is based on trust and open communication.  In order to facilitate trust and completely open communication between client and therapist, the client holds legal privilege.  This means that what is said or written in the context of a therapeutic disclosure (session, phone contact, therapy notes, etc.), legally must remain private and confidential between the therapist and client.  Only under certain exceptions or with the client’s written consent can a therapist release this information.

Exceptions to client confidentiality and the rights of privilege are governed by the Pennsylvania Board of Psychology as approved by the State Legislature and the American Psychological Code of Ethics.