Assessment
The first few sessions of therapy are considered assessment. During this process paperwork is completed, I gather information from everyone involved, and I recommend what services are indicated. If treatment here is a great fit we would also discuss goals for treatment and what steps would be involved in a successful outcome. Sometimes during the assessment process we may decide that a referral to another provider is needed, either in addition to services here or in place of treatment at Newcastle.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy sessions are typically 50-60 minute sessions addressing individual therapy goals.
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
It is my belief that an adolescent should never solely be treated individually. Individual sessions will be a part of treatment, but regardless of the problems they wish to solve, adolescents must be seen within the context of their family. Individual sessions either begin or end with me consulting the parent or guardian about their concerns and impressions about progress.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is the primary treatment modality in many situations, especially with adolescents experiencing family conflict and family stress.
In particular, when adolescents are brought in by parents as the primary person of concern–95% of the time the family later identifies other sources of stress ( such as parenting differences, marital conflict, medical diagnoses, and/or financial stressors) as contributing factors that need to be addressed in order for the adolescent to make progress. It is my belief that family therapy with adolescents is the primary catalyst for change and healing.
Treatment for OCD/Exposure and Response Prevention
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy used primarily to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and other forms of anxiety. I have post-graduate training on the use of this highly-effective treatment method shown to reduce symptoms of OCD and anxiety. I am a member of the Charlotte Anxiety Consortium–a collaborative effort to provide treatment information to Charlotte-area residents.
The Charlotte Anxiety Consortium website is www.charlotte-anxiety.org.
I do not provide couples/marital therapy or therapy to children. I accept referrals for high school-aged adolescents, adults, and families without young children.