Hello there, my name is Ian. I am currently an outpatient clinician, licensed in Connecticut with thirteen years experience working as a therapist/mental health counselor across a variety of settings: hospital, skilled nursing, assisted living and outpatient, as well as home and school-based services. I have worked with a variety of ages, but now exclusively work with adults. I specialize in life transitions, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, caregiving (alzheimer's and dementia) and living with early cognitive changes. I also work/have worked with victims of physical/emotional trauma and find that having a strong connection with your therapist is crucial to treatment. The fact that you are here looking for help, whether it be for you or a loved one is a great first step. I look forward to working with you!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session will be spent getting to know you, what brings you to therapy and gathering important information that will inform our future work together.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Problem-Solving, Solution-Oriented, Narrative Therapy I seldom use worksheets, but I will if a client requests one. If a client is willing and able, we may even talk about 'homework' between sessions. This will usually involve an action step that we mutually developed, and one that will work to our primary goal(s), which will be developed in our early work together.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I will typically use the cognitive behavioral therapy model, and the various other models that fall beneath that umbrella. I am not excessively formal in regards to how these interventions are utilized. It will feel more conversational, but I will incorporate psychoeducation around the 'why' of our conversations. I want people to feel comfortable. I will invite you to speak to something I believe is relevant to treatment, but will not push you past your comfort zone unless it is something we collaboratively agreed to. My job, as stated before, is to meet you where you are at.