Dr. Susan Cain

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed? You don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here to help you quiet the noise, ease your anxiety, and find more peace in your everyday life. Together, we’ll work to understand what’s fueling your worry and build practical tools that bring real relief. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we'll explore how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected, empowering you to take control of your mental health. Together, we’ll identify negative thought patterns and challenge them with evidence, building positive self-talk to replace unhelpful beliefs. You’ll learn useful coping tools such as: Cognitive Restructuring: Identify and challenge negative thoughts to develop more balanced perspectives. Behavioral Activation: Incorporate enjoyable activities into your routine to boost mood and reduce anxiety. Relaxation Techniques: Use strategies like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to calm physical anxiety symptoms. Problem-Solving: Break down challenges into manageable steps to reduce overwhelm. Assertiveness Training: Improve communication and self-confidence in expressing your needs. Each session will involve actionable steps, and you’ll have homework to reinforce these skills between sessions. We’ll also focus on relapse prevention and help you prepare for potential setbacks, so you feel equipped to manage future challenges. If you're struggling with insomnia, CBT techniques for sleep can also be included in your treatment. Let’s work together to build a calmer, more fulfilling life.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

I believe in helping you make rapid progress. I know that taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but I’m here to make the process as supportive and effective as possible. I am trained in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), a results-driven approach designed to help you achieve meaningful change quickly. Rather than dwelling on past challenges, we’ll focus on your strengths, resources, and the concrete steps you can take to move forward. My goal is to help you find solutions that work for you—so you can start seeing progress and feeling better, faster. I've honed my skills in SFBT at The University of Chicago and have been using this approach successfully for years. Here's how it goes down: we start by setting crystal-clear goals that you can actually achieve. These goals are all about what you want to accomplish in therapy and how you want to change your life for the better. Together, we'll uncover your strengths, resources, and past victories – because trust me, you've got plenty of 'em! We'll brainstorm goals, preferences, and potential solutions to your current challenges, all while boosting your self-confidence and motivation along the way. And when it's time to put those plans into action, we'll make sure they're practical, doable, and totally tailored to you. If we hit any roadblocks, no worries – we'll tackle them head-on, making adjustments as needed to keep things moving forward. This is a team effort, so your goals and preferences are always front and center. And as you start crushing those goals, we'll get you ready to wrap up therapy while making sure you've got the tools to maintain your progress long-term. That might mean brainstorming potential hurdles and putting in place strategies to keep you on track. So, if you're ready to dive in and start seeing real change, let's make it happen together with Solution-Focused Brief Treatment.

Supportive

What to Expect from Supportive Therapy Supportive therapy is a practical, compassionate form of talk therapy designed to help you manage life's challenges while building on your existing strengths. The focus is on helping you feel understood, supported, and better equipped to cope with stress, relationships, and everyday problems. The key features you can expect include: A safe, encouraging environment: You'll have a nonjudgmental space where you can openly discuss your thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Strengthening coping skills: Together, we'll identify healthy ways to manage stress, anxiety, difficult emotions, and life transitions using practical strategies that fit your situation. Problem-solving and emotional support: We'll work through current challenges, explore options, and help you make decisions while providing encouragement and perspective. Building on your strengths: Rather than focusing only on problems, we'll identify your resilience, successes, and personal resources to help you move forward with greater confidence. Improving daily functioning: Therapy focuses on helping you feel more capable in your relationships, work, family life, and other important areas of everyday living. Together, we will develop realistic goals, celebrate progress, and adjust strategies as your needs change. This approach is ideal for: Managing stress and anxiety Life transitions and adjustment Grief and loss Relationship challenges Depression and emotional overwhelm Caregiver stress or burnout Building self-confidence and resilience Anyone seeking practical support during a difficult season of life