Therapy is often seen merely as a solution to « work through specific issues ». Yet the true value of therapy and the unique skills of the psychologist are much less recognized. Let’s take a closer look at the therapy room, first by defining therapy itself:
Therapy is a process of psychological transformation—learning new modes of thinking, feeling, and behaving. In my practice, I find that good therapy promotes a collaboration that leads to clarity, informed and confident decision-making, and in turn, a happier, more fulfilling life.
Central to this transformative process are the skills of the psychologist. I act as a guide in facilitating learning, and use a toolkit to help you make meaningful progress. Here are some of the tools I may use in clinical practice, based on my clinical experience, training, and study of the research in psychology.
- Clinical skills such as collaboration/goal consensus, active listening, and empathy, which have shown to be effective in improving therapeutic outcomes (i.e., fostering psychological transformation).
- Clinical techniques such as Socratic questioning and collaborative problem-solving, to help you organize and critically examine thoughts and concerns.
- Expert problem-solving: Frameworks based in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and principles to guide through the problem-solving process from problem definition to solution implementation.
- Cutting-edge knowledge of psychological research: Personalized science-based recommendations, as needed, to help you navigate problems. For example, an executive facing chronic work stress might benefit from insights into stress physiology and tailored interventions to build resilience.
- Experiments in Thought and Behaviour: Guidance in crafting small, intentional experiments that shift patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour—which provides you with new insights to support decision-making. Tracking tools such as logs and worksheets may be used to enhance learning. The process is tailored to you through a careful understanding of your unique circumstances—alongside clinical experience and knowledge of the mechanisms supporting psychological well-being.
- Decision-making frameworks and principles: Research in decision sciences show that we often falter in our decisions, swayed by irrelevant details or missing out on critical information, with our instincts sometimes leading us astray due to inherent biases. Decision-making can be especially difficult when we feel intense emotions. Recognizing human limitations in decision-making, therapy also focuses on improving this essential skill.
Ultimately, therapy is learning something new about yourself and the world around you. This will require hard work, but you’re not alone.
A collaboration can help foster meaningful and significant progress toward your goals. I bring a set of tools and a listening ear to personalize therapy to your unique circumstances. You’re the expert of your life, and you bring openness and hard work to make things happen! Together, my goal is to empower you to take these tools and enact the changes needed to lead a more fulfilling life.
For more information on the role of the psychologist, refer to the website of the Order of Psychologists.