What Might Bring You into Therapy?

What is an MFT?  How might they help?

Marriage Family Therapists are mental health professionals and relationship specialists licensed by the State of California. Requirements for licensure include a related doctoral or master’s degree, passage of a comprehensive written and oral exam, and at least 3000 hours of supervised, clinical experience. A Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) can help individuals and couples identify, explore and resolve interpersonal relationship problems. In the safety of a supportive and confidential environment, clients explore new options and gain new perspectives for coping more effectively with life’s challenges and stressors. A therapist does not simply “tell you what you should do.” Instead, your therapist serves as a guide and works with you to help you discover your own answers and choices for the path that fits best for you.

Why might you consider therapy?

"Therapy is neither science nor art--it's conversation.

Conversation is...the most subtle and complex of all human activities, and our most important problem-solving tool."

Relationship difficulties (i.e. conflict, not feeling connected, tension, distance)
Communication problems
Personal or Professional (career) transitions
Low self-esteem/Guilt
Grief / Loss / Emotional pain
Parenting issues
Sexual difficulties
Divorce or Separation
Stepfamily / blended family issues
Affairs
Depression / Anxiety

If you're wondering if therapy is right for you...

"The good psychotherapist intuitively knows how to transform human conversation and relationship into a form of healing. Transcending advice-giving, a therapist helps clients discover how to ask better questions of themselves, and how to find the inner resources to formulate better answers."

I am trained to help you address these concerns. I invite you to contact me directly if you’d like to speak personally about your specific challenges and determine whether an appointment is a good idea. I will also help you with referrals to appropriate colleagues within a broad network, if I am not the right match for you or for your presenting concerns.

You might find "The Top 15 Myths About Therapy" of interest. It is posted by the California Assoc. of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Thank you for your interest.