If you are in some distress, weekly appointments will be most effective for you.  Why?  Because the mind needs practice and repetition to change gears.  You may start feeling better right away, and to sustain this state may take regular practice . . . like learning to play a musical instrument.

Most people find that 10 sessions can help them make important changes, when they are coming in for a tune up. If you are working on a major overhaul of your life, or a long standing pattern, 6 months by help you make lasting change.  Every person is different.  Our work together is designed specifically for you.  No cook book methods in our work together.

I can usually see you within 24 hours if it is urgent.  If you are having severe panic, anxiety or depression, please go to the nearest emergency room.  Portland also has excellent crisis telephone lines, staffed by caring people:

You will start seeing small changes  after your first few sessions.  I you don't we will help you plan the next step of treatment.   You might need a different type of treatment.  You might benefit from group therapy.  You may need to see your doctor to rule out medical problems.  You may also benefit from working with other holistic practitioners, such as homeopaths and NDs for nutritional counseling.    We collaborate to help you the the results you want. 

Our first session may be slightly different than future visits.   We are getting to know each other.  You may find it helpful to have some thoughts on what you want to accomplish.  Give some thought to what makes things worse and what makes things better.   We may discuss when things started to get worse, and who you call upon for support. We will be working together to create life-long solutions to help you create the life you really want.

Many gifted individuals have trouble adjusting to their environment.  Often they feel they just can’t find a way to fit in socially and find the right school or job.   Exceptional endowments may feel like liabilities instead of assets.  People with exceptional skills may have developed one a few key areas, and my find that emotional intelligence remains underdeveloped.  Exceptionally gifted individuals may be seen by others as powerful and charismatic.  Being revered and admired rather than isolated and rejected can also cause emotional conflicts.

You can make the most of your investment of time and money by doing a couple of things:

•  Be an active participant in the process.  Speak about what is going on for you, ask questions
  
• Organize your schedule in such a way that you can come to your appointments and be on time
  
• Budget for your investment in psychotherapy
• Catch yourself doing things right
• Catch yourself doing things differently
• Practice what you are learning
• Set small attainable goals, either daily or weekly,  report on your success
• Meet your inner critic and chuckle at the rule book your inner critic uses to indict you