Psychotherapy is a unique experience for each individual.  For some, symptom reduction or behavioral change is desired, for others, it is a deep exploration of unconscious motivations which one seeks. No matter what the initial reason for beginning therapy, to create lasting change the psychotherapeutic process must gently place a person in the discomfort and joy of their own truths. This includes truths about personality, interpersonal patterns, and the painful parts of personal origins which have created maladaptive ways of living.  Ideally, psychotherapy is an exploration through an individual's emotional pain, not a process to learn ways around it.  This is rewarding yet laborious work.

The role of the therapist is to utilize the therapeutic relationship to illuminate these truths, in real time. This gives context to emotional distress as it surfaces. In this manner, the patient and therapist can examine parts of the self that remain hidden.  While trust grows in therapy, a more authentic self emerges from the patient. The spectrum of human emotion broadens, and is accepted; ultimately leading to desired internal relief, and an increasingly rich experience in life.

You have already taken the first to step to your own personal growth.  I look forward to hearing from you.