My ideal client is someone who has been struggling with major depression or bipolar disorder for many years, which has affected his/her relationships with family and friends. He/she feels misunderstood when these episodes occur and needs support, understanding, and more effective coping skills to address the symptoms making them less intense and less frequent. My client stopped doing the things he/she enjoys doing, and wants to get back to his/her life as it was in the past.
My approach to therapy is to gain knowledge of my clients’ mental health symptoms, history of all aspects of their life, (developmental, family, mental health, physical health, military, spiritual, etc.), while simultaneously developing rapport and gaining their trust. I would assist my clients to identify their main concerns and we would work together to explore options, make appropriate referrals as necessary, and based on the knowledge I received from my clients, I would make appropriate recommendations and discuss treatment plans. The treatment modality would depend on the priorities described by the clients and be modified as they make progress and redefine other underlying conditions. Overall, I find that the client-centered approach is best!
Have you been struggling with depression or any other mental health issues and need support in meeting your goals? Do you feel you’ve been misunderstood and need validation? Would you like to strengthen your relationships and reduce the impact that these episodes have on your life? I am here to listen, and we can work together to develop a plan that fits your needs.
