Welcome aboard! I'm Dr. Susan Cain, and I'm here to be your guide through life's twists and turns, helping you tap into your inner strength and resilience. My practice is a safe haven for adults of all ages, whether you're seeking personal growth and change or navigating workplace challenges and anxieties.
With a perfect blend of empathy and expertise, I create a nurturing environment where you can explore your emotions, break down barriers, and ignite positive change. My approach stands out for its practicality – I provide clients with tangible tools, worksheets, and assessments that offer immediate support and drive progress.
Together, we'll set sail on a journey of self-discovery and growth, arming you with the tools and insights you need to live a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life. If you're craving a solution-focused approach that leads to rapid transformation and a return to satisfaction, I can't wait to join forces with you on this exciting adventure.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Overall, our first therapy session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, establish trust, set goals, and lay the foundation for a successful therapeutic relationship. It's normal for you to feel a mix of emotions, including nervousness and relief, during this initial session, but I strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard and understood. We begin therapy by providing an overview of the therapy process. You may be asked to complete paperwork, such as consent forms or intake questionnaires, to gather essential information about your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy. I want you to feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings.
Overall, I will seek to understand your presenting issues, history, and goals for therapy. We may look at the your current symptoms, past experiences, family dynamics, and any previous therapy or treatment.
The therapy goals we establish will serve as a roadmap for guiding the therapeutic process and measuring progress over time. You will be invited to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have about therapy. Towards the end of the session, I will summarize the key points discussed and collaborate with you to schedule future sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am known for my ability to swiftly guide clients back to a fulfilling life. I establish genuine connections with each individual, infusing sessions with my sincere demeanor and a touch of humor to navigate life's many challenges effectively. I offer an extensive array of assessments, worksheets, and reports as valuable tools to support clients in translating therapy insights into tangible improvements in their lives.
About Susan Cain
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I'm fully prepared to help you overcome unwanted or intrusive thoughts and alleviate your anxiety. I'm committed to guiding you towards a place of tranquility and peace of mind. Together, we'll navigate through any challenges that arise, empowering you to reclaim control over your thoughts and emotions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) might just be the game-changer you've been looking for. It's a proven approach for tackling anxiety and depression head-on by diving into the connections between your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physical responses.
We'll start by digging into what's going on with you and setting up some clear treatment goals. Then, we'll dive deep into the CBT model, shining a light on how your thoughts, emotions, and actions are all interconnected.
Together, we'll pinpoint those pesky negative thought patterns and start building the habit of challenging them with evidence that goes against the grain. We'll also work on swapping out those unhelpful core beliefs for some fresh, positive self-talk that'll have you feeling better yourself.
But don't stop there. I'll be cheering you on as we sprinkle in some enjoyable activities to combat depression or anxiety, and we'll work on finding true satisfaction in your life. You'll also pick up some handy coping skills along the way, like relaxation techniques, problem-solving strategies, and even brushing up on your assertiveness and communication skills.
And don't worry, there's homework involved – but it's all about reinforcing what you've learned and keeping that progress train chugging along between our sessions.
As we progress in therapy, we'll also tackle relapse prevention strategies together, so you'll be armed and ready to handle any triggers or setbacks that come your way. I can effectively address insomnia using CBT techniques if you're experiencing sleep difficulties. So, if you're ready to take control of those intrusive thoughts and reclaim your peace of mind, CBT is here to help you make it happen.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I sometimes engage the use of mindfulness-based therapy (MBT), a powerful approach aimed at fostering emotional stability and well-being. Through MBT, we embark on a journey to cultivate mindfulness – the art of being fully present in the moment without judgment.
If you're grappling with challenges like low self-esteem or feeling perpetually "not good enough," MBT could be just the ticket. We'll kick things off with a thorough assessment to understand your unique struggles and aspirations.
Together, we'll dive deep into the world of mindfulness, exploring its benefits for mental health and equipping you with an array of mindfulness techniques. From living in the present to thought-stopping, body scanning, and mindful breathing, these practices will sharpen your awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and your surroundings, empowering you to fully engage in the present moment and let go of worries about the future.
A core aspect of our work will involve observing and challenging automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions. Through cultivating non-judgmental awareness, you'll gain profound insights into your thought patterns and develop more adaptive ways of thinking. This newfound clarity will not only help you regulate your emotions but also enable you to tolerate and manage difficult feelings with grace, rather than being consumed by them.
For those grappling with depression or anxiety, we'll employ mindfulness-based relapse prevention strategies. By recognizing early warning signs and applying mindfulness skills, you'll be equipped to prevent relapse and navigate life's challenges with resilience.
But our journey doesn't end there – practicing mindfulness regularly will be a cornerstone of our therapeutic goals, ensuring your ongoing well-being and emotional resilience.
So, if you're ready to embark on a transformative journey towards emotional stability and self-discovery, MBT is here to guide you every step of the way.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Are you all about seeing results fast? Because I'm right there with you! I'm totally committed to getting you on the path to solutions as quickly as possible. That's where Solution-Focused Brief Treatment (SFBT) comes in – it's all about tapping into your strengths, resources, and ability to make real changes.
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.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Do you need some help navigating intense emotions? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is your ticket to crafting a fulfilling life by honing your emotional regulation, boosting your interpersonal skills, and just overall upping your quality of life.
We'll begin by getting a handle on what's challenging you right now and setting some clear goals for therapy. Then, we'll dive into some seriously cool mindfulness techniques. Think of it as getting in tune with your thoughts and feelings, and learning how to manage them like a pro.
But wait, there's more! We've got some powerful tools up our sleeve, like radical acceptance. That's all about learning to observe and describe experiences without passing judgment, and even practicing some mindful breathing to keep those emotions in check.
And when the going gets tough, you will learn distress tolerance skills like distraction techniques, self-soothing activities, and yes, more radical acceptance because sometimes life throws us curveballs.
But it's not just about surviving – it's about thriving. We'll work on dialing up those positive emotional experiences and supercharging your relationships through better communication. That means learning to be assertive, setting healthy boundaries, and mastering the art of conflict negotiation.
Sometimes, we'll even break down those tricky behaviors to understand what's driving them. Armed with that knowledge, we'll help you develop new, healthier responses.
Oh, and about that homework? Yep, you'll get some. It's all about reinforcing what you've learned and putting those skills into practice in your day-to-day life. We'll wrap things up with a relapse action plan to make sure you're set up for ongoing success.
So, if you're ready to take control of those emotions and start living your best life, DBT is here to help you make it happen.
Positive Psychology
You've tackled life's hurdles with grit and resourcefulness, and now it's time to harness those strengths to supercharge your well-being. Rather than dwelling on weaknesses, we'll shine a spotlight on your strengths, boosting your self-esteem, sense of mastery, and overall happiness.
Together, we'll cultivate a garden of positive emotions – think joy, gratitude, hope, and compassion. These emotional powerhouses not only counteract negativity but also bolster your psychological health in profound ways.
Resilience is our secret weapon. We'll train it up with techniques like cognitive restructuring, turning challenges into growth opportunities. And let's not forget mindfulness – the art of being fully present and accepting of the moment. It's a game-changer, reducing worries, boosting self-awareness, and improving overall functioning.
But we're not stopping there. I'll help you uncover your values, goals, and what truly matters to you, setting you on a path to a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life.
And if your social circle needs a boost, we'll work on that too. Strengthening empathy, communication skills, and forgiveness can transform your relationships, leading to greater satisfaction and well-being.
As we near the finish line, we'll craft long-term coping strategies to fortify your mental health defenses, ensuring you're less vulnerable to future challenges.
So, if you're ready to harness your inner strengths, cultivate positivity, and build a resilient, fulfilling life, let's get started. Your journey to lasting well-being begins now.
