Marsha Schaffel

I present as a warm accepting therapist, with no judgement about your delema. My belief is that there is hope for everyone. By interweaving my 20 years of social work experience with a positive, hopeful outlook we accomplish your goals together. Living in a suburb with many trees and flowers, I may use visualization of nature as a calming part of therapy. I love most animals and have a sweet dog. I might share relevant stories from my past or do a fun exercise to illustrate a point.

My emphasis is on you being the expert about yourself.

I will be the copilot pointing out your strengths and achievements. We will work together for your preferred future.

As an advocate for Brief Solution Focused Therapy, your goal is my goal. I work in partnership with you so that you are an active participant in your own therapy process.

I will guide you by asking questions, nurturing your strengths to clarify what is important to you. We will look at what has worked for you in the past and how to repeat these results. My strong characteristics are the ability to focus on your positive strengths as well as helping you discover and achieve your desired outcome. I have a flexible approach which is based on "use what works"

This may include mindfulness, ACT or CBT, and Imago type communication skills. I am oriented toward short term therapy with a stress on discovering possibilities that may lead to helpful change.

If you are looking for short term, positive based therapy with stress on practical steps to an improved life, give me a call!!

In the first session I will do an intake. This means finding more about you and what brought you to counseling.

This is a time that we get to know a little about each other.

I may do the ABC's of counselling which means "A" (antecedent) what was it like before the issue surfaced.

"B" what Behaviors are you doing because of this issue and "C" what are the Consequences for you with relationships, work and health. I will spend much of our time on discovering what has worked for you. What were the exceptions when you were not bothered by your challenge. Perhaps exploring what you did and how that felt. I might explore the percentage of time your dilemma occurs and to what degree it bothers you. We will talk about your present and future goals. Together we will determine helpful tasks for you to do at home.