What Type of Therapist is the Best Fit for You?
All therapists ascribe to a particular theoretical model for conceptualizing and treating clients; however, a therapist’s style is unique. Here is a brief snapshot of our therapist’s approach to working with clients.
- Experience: 6-10 years
- Therapist Style: I like to explore the foundation a person is built upon. I consider early attachment figures and events in a person’s life that shaped their current experience. Focus on somatic and body-based approaches to understand and be present with themselves.
- Session Structure: For children – very structured – set an agenda and/or stick closely to treatment goals. Have pre-planned areas of focus. The agenda is driving the benefit of the session., For Adults – little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, Incorporation of sensory, art or play, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
- Experience: 11-15 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a coach. I am an active part of identifying ways to help my clients improve and create change and supporting them in doing that I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. I am like a teacher. I connect with my clients, but my main goal or focus is helping them learn new ways of approaching their life. I work with what presents in the moment. I focus on the clients concerns, but more so on how the client experiences these concerns in the session. I might identify incongruences in the client’s words vs. expression. I might also bring attention towards how the client is experiencing the relationship or being present in the room. My session is very immediate here-and-now focused.
- Session Structure: Structured – formal or informal structure typically driven by the client. Clear focus areas for the session. Client and therapist are clear on the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Use of handouts and worksheets to help guide sessions, Incorporation of sensory, art or play, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Conversational and easy going
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
- Experience: 11-15 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a coach. I am an active part of identifying ways to help my clients improve and create change and supporting them in doing that [Cognitive],I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are. I like to explore the foundation a person is built upon. I consider early attachment figures and events in a person’s life that shaped their current experience.
- Session Structure: Little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Incorporation of sensory, art or play, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns
- Therapist Persona: I am reserved, taking a quieter approach and letting the client fill more of the space.
- Experience: 3-5 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together.
- Session Structure: Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, work to deepen her client’s awareness of their struggles, prefer to dig in deep to client experience with serious conversation and little small talk
- Therapist Persona: Takes a quieter approach and lets the client fill more of the space.
- Experience: 0-2 years
- Therapist Style: I take an integrative approach with my clients, serving as their guide and fellow explorer of their personal story, helping to reveal their past to shape their desired future. Utilizing psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic influences to best support my client’s needs and goals, whether we focus on a specific struggle or take a deep dive into their story, I will help them find their path.
- Session Structure: Little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns, Prefer to dig in deep to client experience with serious conversation and little small talk
- Therapist Persona: I likely present confident but relational and present
- Experience: 3-5 years
- Therapist Style: I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are. I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck.
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide psychoeducation routinely, conversational and easy going
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
- Experience: 0-2 years
- Therapist Style: I like to explore the foundation a person is built upon. I consider early attachment figures and events in a person’s life that shaped their current experience. I work with what presents in the moment. I focus on the clients concerns, but more so on how the client experiences these concerns in the session. I might identify incongruences in the client’s words vs. expression. I might also bring attention towards how the client is experiencing the relationship or being present in the room. My session is very immediate here-and-now focused.
- Session Structure: Very structured – set an agenda and/or stick closely to treatment goals. Have pre-planned areas of focus. The agenda is driving the benefit of the session. Structured – formal or informal structure typically driven by the client. Clear focus areas for the session. Client and therapist are clear on the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns, Provide psychoeducation routinely
- Therapist Persona: I likely present confident but relational and present
- Experience: 3-5 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are.
- Session Structure: Little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for: Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration.
- Communication Style: Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns, Provide psychoeducation routinely, Conversational and easy going
- Therapist Persona: I am bubbly, energetic, and chatty in sessions.
- Experience: 11-15 years
- Therapist Style: I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck.
- Session Structure: Structured – formal or informal structure typically driven by the client. Clear focus areas for the session. Client and therapist are clear on the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, Listens for understanding, Use of handouts and worksheets to help guide sessions, Provide psychoeducation routinely
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
- Experience: 11-15 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a coach. I am an active part of identifying ways to help my clients improve and create change and supporting them in doing that, I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. [existential],I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are.
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, incorporation of sensory, art or play, Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns
- Therapist Persona: I am reserved, taking a quieter approach and letting the client fill more of the space.
- Experience: 6-10 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. [existential],I like to explore the foundation a person is built upon. I consider early attachment figures and events in a person’s life that shaped their current experience
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide psychoeducation routinely
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others. I likely present confident but relational and present
- Experience: 6-10 years
- Therapist Style: I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are.
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Conversational and easy going
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
- Experience: 6-10 years
- Therapist Style: I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are. ,I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck. I like to explore the foundation a person is built upon. I consider early attachment figures and events in a person’s life that shaped their current experience. I work with what presents in the moment. I focus on the clients concerns, but more so on how the client experiences these concerns in the session. I might identify incongruences in the client’s words vs. expression. I might also bring attention towards how the client is experiencing the relationship or being present in the room. My session is very immediate here-and-now focused.
- Session Structure: Structured – formal or informal structure typically driven by the client. Clear focus areas for the session. Client and therapist are clear on the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration.
- Communication Style: Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Prefer to dig in deep to client experience with serious conversation and little small talk, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist
- Therapist Persona: I likely present confident but relational and present, Very congruent to self as therapist while attuning to client personality, mood, and affect
- Experience: 6-10 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. I work with what presents in the moment. I focus on the clients concerns, but more so on how the client experiences these concerns in the session. I might identify incongruences in the client’s words vs. expression. I might also bring attention towards how the client is experiencing the relationship or being present in the room. My session is very immediate here-and-now focused.
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Listen for Understanding, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others
- Experience: Graduate Student fulfilling Master-Level Internship Requirements
- Therapist Style: I work with what presents in the moment. I focus on the clients concerns, but more so on how the client experiences these concerns in the session. I might identify incongruences in the client’s words vs. expression. I might also bring attention towards how the client is experiencing the relationship or being present in the room. My session is very immediate here-and-now focused.
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Listen for Understanding, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others
- Experience: 0-2 years
- Therapist Style: I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are. I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck.
- Session Structure: Structured – formal or informal structure typically driven by the client. Clear focus areas for the session. Client and therapist are clear on the benefit of the session
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Listen for Understanding, Use of handouts and worksheets to help guide sessions, Provide psychoeducation routinely, Conversational and easy going
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others
- Experience: 20+ years
- Therapist Style: I am like a teacher. I connect with my clients, but my main goal or focus is helping them learn new ways of approaching their life.
- Session Structure: Little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living. Exploratory Patience: The client may not yet be ready for change, or not sure that they even need to change anything. Therapist is comfortable with being patient and honoring the client’s current frustrations with others or the world before diving into self-exploration. Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Listen for Understanding, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Conversational and easy going
- Therapist Persona: I likely present confident but relational and present
- Experience: 11-15 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are. I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck. I like to explore the foundation a person is built upon. I consider early attachment figures and events in a person’s life that shaped their current experience. and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Session Structure: Little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for:Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for Understanding, Uses self-disclosure and information about the therapist to inform therapy, Use of handouts and worksheets to help guide sessions, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide psychoeducation routinely, Conversational and easy going, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist
- Therapist Persona: I likely present confident but relational and present
- Experience: 3-5 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a coach. I am an active part of identifying ways to help my clients improve and create change and supporting them in doing that
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Provide psychoeducation routinely, Conversational and easy going, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist. I work on challenging thoughts but also being in the present moment. I work with clients to accept things they can and cannot change, and how to navigate the emotions that arise during these times.
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
- Experience: 6-10 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a coach. I am an active part of identifying ways to help my clients improve and create change and supporting them in doing that I am like a teacher. I connect with my clients, but my main goal or focus is helping them learn new ways of approaching their life. I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are.
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns, Provide psychoeducation routinely. I hope to increase understanding of how their survival system is impacting them and identify ways to work with the system to regulate emotions and communicate effectively.
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
- Experience: 0-2 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are. I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck. I like to explore the foundation a person is built upon. I consider early attachment figures and events in a person’s life that shaped their current experience. I work with what presents in the moment. I focus on the clients concerns, but more so on how the client experiences these concerns in the session. I might identify incongruences in the client’s words vs. expression. I might also bring attention towards how the client is experiencing the relationship or being present in the room. My session is very immediate here-and-now focused
- Session Structure: Little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Listen for understanding, Uses self-disclosure and information about the therapist to inform therapy, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns, Provide psychoeducation routinely, Conversational and easy going, refer to dig in deep to client experience with serious conversation and little small talk
- Therapist Persona: I am bubbly, energetic, and chatty in sessions. I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others.
Duncan McGimpsey (Adults & Couples) - Relationship issues, Feeling powerless/stuck, Self-improvement
- Experience: 0-2 years
- Therapist Style: I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck.
- Session Structure: Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for: Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living
- Communication Style: Conversational and easy going, Prefer to dig in deep to client experience with serious conversation and little small talk, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others. I try to find balance between providing direct guidance and encouraging self-exploration. I believe in meeting my client where they are at and supporting their next steps to reduce but not eliminate the challenge of growth.
- Experience: 20+ years
- Therapist Style: I am like a fellow-traveler. I don’t know the answers to my client’s issues, but i like to take a deep dive with them to better understand what is happening and how we can work on it together. I am like an accurate mirror. I want to so deeply understand my clients so I can skillfully help them understand themself as they truly are. I like to see the big picture. I consider how other factors contribute towards client’s current concerns. These includes family dynamics in the family of origin, current relationships (either romantic, friendships, family or work.) I also identify unhelpful cycles that keep people stuck.
- Session Structure: Little structure – Client determines topic for the session and therapist follows suit. Therapist does the work to tie back to treatment goals/objectives
- Best Therapist for:Exploration before change: The client may have bothersome symptoms or issues, but not really sure what the main problems are or how to fix it. Therapist demonstrates productive patience with client as they discover the main issues, work to identify a potential course of action, and help client find motivation to work towards healthier living.
- Communication Style: Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Conversational and easy going, Attention to the here-and-now of the session and relationship with the therapist
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others., I likely present confident but relational and present meeting my client where they are at and supporting their next steps to reduce but not eliminate the challenge of growth.
- Experience: 3-5 years
- Therapist Style: I am like a coach. I am an active part of identifying ways to help my clients improve and create change and supporting them in doing that [Cognitive],I am like a teacher. I connect with my clients, but my main goal or focus is helping them learn new ways of approaching their life.
- Session Structure: Structured – formal or informal structure typically driven by the client. Clear focus areas for the session. Client and therapist are clear on the benefit of the session. Semi-structured – Informal structure where there is typically a main topic decided by the client that is the main focus of the session. Client can articulate the benefit of the session.
- Best Therapist for:Brief Model: client identifies a specific issue or concern that needs address and this is the main focus of treatment. Client is both motivated and intent on making that specific change.
- Communication Style: Listen for Understanding, Use of handouts and worksheets to help guide sessions, Focus of communication is on deepening the client’s awareness of their struggles, Provide tips or tricks to help the client navigate their concerns, Provide psychoeducation routinely, Conversational and easy going
- Therapist Persona: I tend to match the energy of the client – presenting bubbly to some clients and reserved with others. I likely present confident but relational and present