What is my therapist doing?

We have questions about counseling and therapy!  One out of every 3 phone calls I receive are with questions about how therapy works and what it will be like to get started.  What are you curious about?  

If your questions aren't answered here, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I truly appreciate the curiosity! You have a right to know.

Parts (or Aspects) of a Person

There are many important parts to a person, so the answer can be complex.  Therapists generally consider aspects of a person to include thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  (I include physiology in my clinical concept of "behaviors"-- how the body is behaving.)  Some counselors and therapists include social context as a key aspect-- a persons support system, community, and other social systems.  Each counselor/therapist will generally aim to influence a specific aspect  to help create change. Every part of you is important!

Approaches to Each Aspect

There are many acceptable approaches to influence change within each aspect of a person.  (There are also some not so accepted approaches, so it is important to seek a licensed clinician with a solid reputation.  More on this in a later post!)  Psychological theories tend to focus on a certain time in life-- the past, present, or future.  For example, psychodynamic therapists generally believe  problems in the present are rooted in experiences from the past, including unconscious reactions.  Cognitive therapists tend to focus on the present.  Many approaches can work!

What I Do
(Integrative Pychotherapy)

 You can imagine how many unique approaches to therapy are possible!  So what do we do when there are multiple important parts of a person and then many different ways to influence each part?  How can a therapist pick just one?  How could one approach work for everything and everyone?  GREAT QUESTIONS!  Since this is my blog, I will tell you what I do.

I believe in what is called Integrative Psychotherapy!  (Also considered Unified Theory)  Integrative Therapy is the integration of the most effective elements from different schools of thought in psychotherapy.  It is a unifying psychotherapy that responds appropriately to the person at the affective (feelings), behavioral (actions), cognitive (thinking), and physiological levels of functioning.  It also includes social, interpersonal, and spiritual dimensions of life.  Each integrative therapist is unique, and it is important we specify which theories and techniques we integrate and when we apply them.  It takes an experienced professional who has gained necessary skills to work with a wide range of people with a range of psychological issues from diverse backgrounds.  After many years of experience, training, and supervision, I have expertly integrate the most effective therapies, tailoring therapy to fit each unique individual.  For more on Kate Hermanson, LPC, NCC and Integrative Psychotherapy, please see Our Integrative Perspective page!

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