My name is Yaron. I work as a therapist with goals of helping people to cope with stress, identify their personal goals, and develop healthy relationship skills. I work with individuals and couples to develop skills for coping with anger, anxiety, boundaries, trauma, and stress in healthy ways. I also work with couples and individuals to improve connection with listening and recognizing each person's strengths.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session I will discuss some the logistics about my services. After we are clear on the parameters of treatment, you can then share what has brought you to therapy. I will actively listen to you and work to understand your specific experiences. I will check to see if you feel ready for me to ask you questions, if not, that is okay. Towards the end of the meeting I will ask if you would like to schedule another session or would like to take some time to think about it, either choice is fine.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I think my biggest strength is being a gentle listener. If you have had a something going for a long time and want some place to process it I believe I can be helpful. Additionally, I have been able to help various people over the years cope with feelings, of tension, anger, anxiety, and overwhelm, through direct skills teaching of various grounding skills and relaxation skills. I am also helpful in collaborating with people in identifying goals through active listening.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I work well with individuals with goals related to developing coping skills to address situations which create distress, anxiety, anger, or recurring conflicts. I’m am able to actively listen well and work with people to develop tailored, effective, and sustainable outlets for difficult feelings.
About Yaron W Pickens
Identifies as
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Address
2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, Suite 300Appointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Hi, I’m Yaron and I want to offer you a space where you can explore and understand your emotions in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental way. One of the primary therapeutic approaches I use is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and I believe it can offer thoughtful understandings into how we process and respond to our feelings. In EFT, we look at your emotional life, especially as it relates to your relationships. Whether you're facing challenges in a partnership, with family, or in how you connect with yourself, EFT helps you recognize and process emotions in a way that promotes healing and positive change. Sometimes, we feel something deeply but can’t quite figure out why. EFT helps you understand those feelings, uncovering the emotional truths that might be hidden beneath surface-level reactions. With this awareness, we can start shifting old, negative patterns, whether that’s recurring arguments with a partner or a sense of emotional distance and work toward healthier, more fulfilling connections. The core of EFT is creating a space where you feel emotionally safe, so you can share your true feelings openly. This builds trust and deepens connections, leading to more meaningful and satisfying relationships, whether in a couple, family, or individual setting. If you're ready to explore your emotional world and work towards growth, I’d like to work with you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Here is how I provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) sessions for individuals, couples, and families who are a good match for this technique and find it helpful. Individual Therapy: In an individual session, I would start by working to create a safe and comfortable environment where my client feels heard and understood. For example, if a client is struggling with anxiety, I might ask, “Can you describe a recent situation where you felt anxious?” As they share, I’d listen attentively and validate their feelings, I’d introduce CBT techniques. We might explore their thought patterns, identifying negative or irrational thoughts. We would work together and look at these thoughts a bit more closely to see what evidence we have that it’s true or not true. By challenging these thoughts, we can work on replacing them with more balanced and realistic ones. Couples Therapy: In a couple’s session, my goal is to foster communication and understanding between partners. I’d begin by clarifying that I’m here to help both of you find ways to connect and support each other. We might start with an exercise where each partner shares their perspective on a recent conflict. I’d work to help both people feel listened to and provide guidance in thoughtful expression of their feelings using “I” statements, like “I felt hurt when…” instead of “You always…” We’d also work on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns. For instance, if one partner often assumes the worst about the other’s intentions, I’d say, “Let’s explore this thought. What other explanations might there be?” This helps build empathy and reduce misunderstandings. Family Therapy: In family therapy, I’d work to create an environment where each family member feels valued and respected. I might say, “We’re here to understand each other better and find ways to support one another.” We could begin with a family meeting where each person shares their thoughts on a particular issue. I’d encourage active listening, “Let’s make sure everyone has a chance to speak and be heard.” We’d also explore how individual thought patterns affect family dynamics. For example, if a teenager feels misunderstood by their parents, I’d say, “Can you share a recent example where you felt this way?” We’d then work on reframing these thoughts, “How can we look at this situation differently?” Benefits of CBT: Throughout these sessions, I’d emphasize the benefits of CBT. I’d explain, “CBT helps you become aware of your thoughts and how they influence your feelings and behaviors. By learning to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts, you can feel more in control and improve your relationships.” CBT provides tools that clients can use beyond therapy, like journaling, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. It empowers them to take an active role in their mental health and promotes resilience.