Types of Therapy

“Karen is a colleague I hold in the highest esteem. She has vast experience in the field and is superbly skilled. When I relocated my practice away from NYC, I referred several patients to her all of whom were very pleased to fall into her caring hands. Karen is capable and compassionate. I recommend her with the highest confidence.” – Roger Chabot, LICSW

Psychodynamic Therapy:

Psychodynamic Therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, is rooted in psychoanalysis and aims to increase self-awareness about one’s past and how it influences present behavior and relationships. Psychodynamic Therapy includes self-reflection and examination, exploration of the dynamics of one’s family of origin, and the use of the relationship between the therapist and the client to gain insight into relationship patterns in a person’s life. These insights often lead to increased awareness of dysfunctional patterns in interpersonal relationships and/or behaviors which then allow for changes to a more satisfying life.

This process of self-examination helps you to connect your feelings with your true self and your authentic needs. In psychodynamic treatment, I help you in identifying outdated ways of relating that may have more to do with your past than with the present. This assists you in moving beyond your history and to helps you create and maintain a more healthy balance in your life.

Hypnotherapy:

“Hypnosis is to consciousness what a telephoto lens is to a camera,” David Spiegel, MD, Director of the Center on Stress and Health and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine.

Clinical hypnosis, combined with or integrated into psychotherapy, is referred to as hypnotherapy and is a trance-like state in which you have heightened focus and concentration. Clinical hypnosis is done with the help of a therapist using relaxation, verbal repetition and guided imagery. When you’re under hypnosis, or in a trance state, you usually feel very calm, relaxed and are more open to suggestions.

Clinical hypnosis is usually considered an aid to psychotherapy because the hypnotic state allows people to explore thoughts, feelings, and memories that might be hidden from their conscious minds. Hypnosis can be used to help a person gain control over undesired habits or behaviors. The hypnotic state enables a person to respond more positively to suggestions that aid in attaining goals such as quitting smoking, reducing-anxiety, treating pain or curing insomnia. It’s important to know that although one is more open to suggestion during hypnosis, there is no loss of control over behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

CBT is a structured and goal-oriented approach that is based on the premise that our thoughts affect, impact and influence our feelings and behaviors. It is not the situation that causes us distress, but our thoughts about the situation. CBT involves identifying and changing biases and distortions in our thinking styles that reinforce negative feelings and behaviors. If you can change the way you think, then changes in your-emotions and behaviors will follow. There is often homework associated with
CBT to document thoughts and behaviors and to utilize for change.

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