I understand what it's like to be anxious, to be depressed, or to just feel lost. So I'd like to help you, if I can, to find your way towards wellness, happiness, and a fulfilling life. But I know you need the right help at the right time, and that is my first goal -- to make sure I'm the right therapist for you now. I don't work with all issues, so let's go over that now. And if I'm not the right person, I'll give you referrals for other qualified therapists. I want you to have what you need, and a therapist that is great for you, whether it's me, or someone else. So here's some info on my work: I do work with individuals, and with couples. I don't work with issues of Domestic Violence, Suicidal Ideation, Self Harm, Harm to Others, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Anger Management or any legal issues. What I do work with is self-doubt, anxiety, sadness or depression, and relationship issues. I'm good with helping people heal wounds about themselves. And I love doing relationship work: I believe that love and belonging are most people's priority in life, and if you are on the journey to find that, or need to repair a love you already have, I'm glad to help if I can. I'm familiar with most modalities of therapy. I focus mostly on Strengths-Based work, Narrative Therapy, and Compassion-Based CBT. And I'll be paying close attention to you and engaging in ongoing assessments: how you feel, think and believe are crucial to helping us find what's right for you. So communication is key. We'll talk, we'll listen, we'll collaborate, and we'll work as a team towards getting you to feel better and make choices that honor your needs, and your chosen path.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, I'll want you to tell me why you're seeking therapy now, and what you'd like into see healed, solved, or made better in your life. It's important that we explore what's working for you, and what's not, so that we can come to solutions that bring you peace, fun, satisfaction, and the inner security that allows you to trust yourself. So often, unfortunately, we're trained not to trust or believe in ourselves and in our intrinsic worth. That's a good place to start healing. Because when you can heal the wounds to your sense of self, all decisions become easier. Choices seem more clear. And you won't find yourself caught in unhappy situations that you can't seem to find a way out of. Life becomes much easier to sort out. And that is a very valuable thing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I'm honest, kind, and direct. Most of my clients have said that they appreciate how I help them see things clearly, and that they feel really seen and understood by me. I'm here to help, so I won't spend a lot of time just reflecting back to you what you've said. I'll ask questions. I'll provide alternative perspective. I'll give feedback, and ask you if you feel that feedback is accurate --- and if you say it's not, I'll ask you to fill me in on what is. My assessment and analytical skills are very keen. And I'll be using them to help you find your answers, your truth, and your path. Meanwhile, I want you to know that if you're hurting, I can help you hold that pain with respect and kindness. But I will also work hard to help you find solutions to problems that are preventing you from being at peace with yourself, life, and other people. Comfort is necessary and good, and I have it to share with you, sincerely. But I will also strive to help you find your right path, so that you don't have to hurt in the first place. Life does bring pain. But that doesn't mean we have to keep it, as ongoing suffering. Suffering happens when we are stuck with problems we can't solve, or stuck in relationships that don't work, or careers that wear us out but don't meet our needs. If we find a way to identify and map out ways to work on solving your problems, we have a chance of getting your needs met. And getting our needs met is crucial in order to strongly decrease the chance of suffering. I want you to not be stuck in pain, dissatisfaction or suffering. I want you to get your problems solved, get your needs met, and have a happy, fulfilling life.
About Monica Englander
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Narrative
We all have a story in our minds about who we are, what life is supposed to be like, and how other people are supposed to behave. To the degree that we've got a story in there that doesn't work for us, that's the degree of unhappiness or distress that we're going to feel in our everyday lives. I'll work with you to uncover your core beliefs. Find out what you believe to be true about who you are, what you're like, and what you want in your life. We can sort out problems in self esteem, meeting your goals, having healthy relationships --- it's all part of getting what you think is true in line with what is really present in your life. I help people to rewrite their life story in ways that help them figure out what they really want and need -- and how to pursue those goals in effective and fulfilling ways.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT focuses on challenging negative self-talk, and on choosing behaviors that are actionable: you realistically can do them, you've chosen them, and you can set a time-line for accomplishing them one step at a time.
Compassion Focused
Compassionate understanding and validation of you, your experiences, and the context of your life is the foundation for a good therapeutic bond. When we are hurt by life, or by not having what we need from life, we need to be compassionately understood, and receive encouragement and support. Without that, our feelings would not be validated, and we do enough invalidating of our feelings on our own! Therapy is a place to come tell what's happened to us, what we need, what we feel, and what are beliefs are about ourselves, life, and others. Without the listening, guidance and compassion of someone who really does understand, there would be no healing accomplished, no matter how many times we shared our story. It's the compassionate understanding that makes all the difference.