Treatment Process
At The Key, we see therapy as somewhere between a science and an art. This means that while we can know and learn all sorts of things about the issues you are struggling with by looking to research, using diagnostic tools, and working with standard interventions, these may only provide relief in areas where your life looks like the lives of others. Thus, to account for uniqueness, we also must be creative and open to the process that unfolds before us. With respect to this need for creativity, we will not be too quick to judge nor will we offer you preplanned treatment approaches for diagnoses and issues.
Treatment Approach
We take an integrative approach to treatment, which is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Thus, we may use cognitive, existential, and/or behavioral techniques to help achieve your goals. This is not eclecticism; it is treating issues in a stepwise fashion using interventions from different perspectives with overlapping theoretical underpinnings. The overlap we anchor ourselves in at The Key is humanism, which emphasize the value and agency of human beings both individually and collectively. We want to aid and empower you!
Being integrative allows us to better account for each client's way of being in the world. When working with couples and families, we will strive to empower all those who participate in treatment. Relationship dynamics, such as power, safety, trust, etc., are often approached using the Satir Model . This model suggests that when safety to be authentic is absent in a family system or couple, there is often a sense of being trapped or stuck that can increase conflict, encourage poor choice selection, decrease self esteem, and increase negative thinking. When safety to be authentic is present, there is an overall sense of well being that allows for better conflict management, positive meaning making, good self esteem, and more fulfilling choice selection. Goals of the model are to increase awareness, acceptance, responsibility, and positive communication skills so meaning can be made and problems can be solved together.
Starting Treatment
Regardless of service type, in our first session we will do a brief assessment of the issues and make a tentative plan that will identify where we want to go and how we might get there, addressing the most urgent needs first. We will also establish a therapeutic relationship that characterizes how we work together. Generally speaking, when a good client-therapist relationship can be established, the majority of clients become quickly engaged in the process and make progress towards their goals. Thus, you can expect an emphasis to be placed on establishing a connection. It is our hope that sessions will not feel like a trip to a doctor, or a trip to visit a friend, but somewhere in between where there is a feeling of comfort and acceptance, but also room for confrontation and growth. We want you to feel safe!
Evaluating Progress
As we work towards the goals we have set, we hope to move through the prioritized needs, examine the issues from different aspects, identify patterns that impact the issues, and seek a transformative idea -The Key- that will unlock your life. Some progress is self-evident but other progress is less salient. Thus, we may conduct progress spot checks. Results are used to refine the plan, integrate needed interventions, enhance the client-therapist relationship, and help us get the results you seek.
Ending Treatment
While each journey is unique and the length of therapy depends on client need, we are sure to know when you have arrived at the desired destination. Some common markers that treatment is reaching an end and it is time to say goodbye are:
All or some of the goals are reached
The client is ready to take over
Optimal functioning has been achieved
Symptoms are more manageable
The issues are no longer relevant
Communication has improved
Conflict has de-escalated
If there is no progress in treatment, options/referrals are discussed.
Fees
Fees are $80.00 per session hour and are reduced on a sliding scale basis. This means we will negotiate a unique rate for you based on your ability to pay. Forms of payment accepted are paypal, cash, checks, and credit cards. We do not take insurance at this time. Weekend appointments are a flat rate of $80.00.