Jamie Ghany, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
What to expect
Psychotherapy is a process of exploration. It is an opportunity for us to develop the tools or skills to more effectively address both the transitional and more chronic stressors in our lives. It is also a chance to gain a greater awareness of what prevents us, at times, from being more content in our lives. This dissatisfaction may be within the realm of our interpersonal relationships, our work, and other areas of our lives that are important to us. As a therapist, I assist my clients in understanding the patterns they may engage in, in part so that they may identify what they want for themselves, and what obstacles they have perceived as preventing them from being more fulfilled in their lives.
Why consider psychotherapy?
When we are trying to solve a problem on our own, we have the potential to get "stuck" because of our “blind spots.” At times, sitting with a problem for an extended period of time contributes to us losing the ability to take a step back and approach the problem from a different angle.
If you think about the last time you had a problem to work through, a conversation with the right person may have been all you needed to help you to explore other ways of approaching the problem and coming to a satisfactory resolution. When people decide to seek out therapy, it is often at the point where the life skills, resources, and support they have, which have typically been useful in crises, are not sufficient to help them to resolve the issue.
A therapist is attuned to aspects of who you are, what you do, and why you do what you do in a way that is different from the people in your life. He or she is trained to adopt a more neutral perspective of a client's presenting problem. I work collaboratively with my clients to gently guide them to an appreciation of the different elements of the presenting issue, to highlight their strengths and resources, and to provide a context where they are more open to other ways of approaching problems.
Taking the first step
Seeking out a consultation with a mental health practitioner can be anxiety-provoking. Those who may have considered doing so at one time or another may have been hesitant for different reasons. For many, it is often not knowing what to expect and, more specifically, not understanding the connection between the process and the outcome. While seeking out the help of a therapist can be difficult, it can also be the first step towards finding relief from trying circumstances and creating more possibilities for meaningful experiences in our lives.
Psychotherapy
