Ways That I Try to Go Above and Beyond as a Psychologist
I often hear from people who reach out to me while they’re in search of a psychologist in Cincinnati. I understand how this can feel like a daunting task. There are many therapists in Cincinnati to choose from and it can be overwhelming to sift through all the options. I like offering free, 30-minute consultations because it offers my prospective clients an opportunity to get a feel for my personality and style prior to committing to any sessions. Moreover, if preferred, clients are able to come to my office in Downtown Cincinnati for face-to-face consultations, allowing them to have a better idea of what therapy will feel like. After all, assessing fit and comfort is vital when looking for a new therapist. Telehealth and phone consults are offered also.
First, I try to ensure a strong, trusting bond and rapport with every client. I am not a therapist who nods quietly, offering only the occasional “mm hmm.” Rather, I try to bring my full self to every session, which includes bringing my genuine personality, sense of humor, and willingness to talk like a normal person. I make it a point to get to know my clients well, including their histories, the relationships comprising their lives, what their jobs and goals are like, and the values that they hold.
Second, I’m a firm believer in the use of evidence-based therapy, which most often takes the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT has been shown, through clinical trial research, to be effective for treating a variety of issues, including panic attacks, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, generalized anxiety, insomnia, and phobias. Unlike general supportive therapy, which is often relatively unstructured, CBT provides specific tools and techniques, and it tracks progress in a specific way. It’s especially helpful for those aiming to make meaningful change in a fairly short period of time (3-4 months is typical for a full course).
Third, I believe that, when clinically indicated, it’s important to be accessible to my clients outside of therapy sessions. Many of the individuals I work with are experiencing active distress and need to check-in or ask questions between our meetings. Although I do not offer 24-hour crisis services by any means, I do try to be responsive and offer added support between sessions when needed. This can take the form of phone calls, email, or HIPAA-compliant text messaging.
Fourth, as a psychologist and therapist in Downtown Cincinnati, I am especially well positioned to provide therapist-accompanied community exposures. For those unfamiliar, exposure therapy is one component of CBT that involves facing down feared situations and working past those fears. Exposure is used to address issues ranging from OCD and PTSD to social anxiety, panic, and phobias. Sometimes it can be challenging for my clients to get started with exposure work on their own (or it can be difficult as they attempt increasingly more challenging tasks). By virtue of my location and its proximity to downtown amenities, I am able to accompany clients engaging in a variety of exposures, such as those for social anxiety and phobias of bridges, heights, and driving.
Fifth, I recognize that due to a variety of reasons (time, scheduling conflicts, finances), weekly therapy sessions are not always feasible for my clients. Also, as clients progress in treatment, many prefer to continue meeting regularly but at less frequent intervals. In either case, I am happy to meet with clients at whatever interval is right for them. This flexibility in scheduling seems to make a big difference for many of my clients, especially those whose work schedules aren’t always consistent.
So I hope that this blog post is helpful for prospective clients curious to hear what might be unique about my approach as a psychologist. To those who remain on the fence about therapy, I encourage you to try out a free consultation. There is no pressure to sign up for sessions afterward and it will hopefully give you a better idea of what to expect and get questions answered!