11/16/07

What's My Approach?

I see people as individuals who live embedded in a family, community, and historical context.  The people around us help to shape us, as we also  impact on them.  By the same token, our personal histories have influenced much about us, including aspects of how we perceive the world, form relationships, and handle stress. 

By talking through the problems you're struggling with in your life, and the ways you make sense of the world, I can help you to grow and develop.  As your skills improve and some of the old patterns and blocks begin to shift, you will likely find yourself with increased energy, optimism, and an ability to go after what you want successfully.

Who Do I See?

I work with adults, teens, children, and couples.  I don't run groups or do family therapy, although if I'm working with a child I'll always work regularly with the parents as well.  I see people grappling with all sorts of challenges, but I particularly enjoy seeing adults who are struggling with work-related issues.  I'm comfortable working with children of any age, and have often treated very young (preschool-aged) children in play therapy.  I have a great deal of experience working with children and adults who have experienced severe trauma, as well.

What Can Therapy Accomplish?

Therapy can help you develop strategies for coping more successfully with a range of problems; it can also help you learn skills to help your life run more smoothly--dealing better with a partner, child, boss, or relative, for example. 

Through diligent work, you can also come to relate to the world in  fundamentally different ways.  I've helped people to come to feel less anxious, less depressed, less angry and irritable.  The have learned to make decisions more comfortably, or less impulsively.  They've learned to say no, when to assert themselves, and when to back off.  They've learned to take chances, to allow themselves to feel proud and successful when it's warranted, and not when it isn't.  I've helped people to allow themselves to establish satisfying careers, to form fulfilling relationships, to marry and have children if that's what they want.

Each of my clients has come to me with a different set of goals and concerns.  Sometimes people want to pursue relatively focused, limited goals.  Other times they feel that their life isn't going well in some deeper, more pervasive way and they want to get to the bottom of their problems.  It's up to you.

What about treating children and teens?

I've had an active child therapy practice for over fifteen years, and worked in agencies and schools with children (both educationally and therapeutically) for many years before I got my doctorate.  I've also supervised child psychotherapy at Columbia University, Teachers College for many years. 

With young children, I do play therapy.  Children express themselves through their play, and it is the most natural pathway into their inner world.  You may want to read the Evaluations section of this website to learn more about the kinds of problems I've worked with.  Naturally, I see many children for therapy who do not have learning problems or other major difficulties, but I am well-equipped to deal with severe emotional, cognitive, or language problems therapeutically.

Obviously, teens want to talk, not play with toys.  I can help them think through the decisions they are making in their lives, away from the "prying" eyes of their parents.  I can help them to master the many conflicting feelings they deal with, and to prepare themselves to leave home and live independently more successfully.

Whatever their age, child therapy can change the course of a child's life.  Children have the great advantage of having development on their side, so that a little bit of intervention can have a huge impact.  If you are debating whether or not your child might need therapy, I'd like to encourage you to arrange a consultation with me or somebody else. 

What about treating couples?

I've done couples work for many years.  I believe that to do this work successfully involves three components:

How Do You Get Started?

Of course, you should always check that a therapist is highly experienced,  well-trained, and licensed.  Once you get past that, finding the right therapist is often a matter of chemistry.  If you think I might be right for you, call or email me at BethKng@BethKingPhD.com.  We can talk a bit on the phone, and if you'd like we can set up an initial consultation. 

I usually suggest that we meet once or twice to get to know each other better.  I find that trying therapy out in this way is much more helpful to people who are trying to choose a therapist than talking about theoretical orientation or approach.  Of course, if you have specific questions about these issues (or any others!) I'm happy to discuss them.