Anne Rafal

Having over 30 years of experience and a doctorate in social work, I've enjoyed helping clients work through life's hardest passages- grief, identity, relationships, and carrying heavy burdens. I work with adults and seniors, individuals and couple, and bring a warm, direct, solution-oriented style that clients describe as grounding and refreshingly practical. We develop a rhythm quickly and I invest in understanding both where you have been and where you want to go. Homework often helps progress develop quickly.

My approach is collaborative, practical and rooted in decades of clinical experience. I use CBT to help you notice the thought patterns that shape how you feel and act--- and gently challenge you to see the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I also use psychoanalytic understanding to explore the deeper roots of those patters. For couples, I draw from the Gottman Method-- a highly researched approach to relationship repair. You will find that I will return to your strengths and resilience, what is working and what we can build on. Sessions are direct and solution-focused-- I will not leave you stuck with a problem.

In the first session, I will want to learn about your current situation, your relationship to friends and family and your goals for therapy. If this is your first time in therapy, I will help you learn how to use our time together to your benefit. We will decide if homework fits for you and I provide you with notes from each session.