Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
North of Boston
Thoughts & Reflections
As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a helping professional. Coming from a family that always underscored the value of looking out for the next guy certainly had its early influence on me. From there, I was fortunate enough to receive extensive and excellent training which had its own positive influences. For one, I garnered a humanistic philosophy-that we all occupy a space along a continuum regarding our ability to find satisfaction in our work and life in general. This is not a stance about “sickness.” This is a stance about human strivings and resiliency. My Ph.D. training as well as my more recent training in psychoanalysis accentuates the need to view the challenges of living from a normative standpoint. It is about unleashing creativity and reaching fullest satisfaction.
I think we would all agree that therapy goals should initially emphasize symptom relief. But how do we understand those stubborn symptoms that have a life of their own and seem to refuse to leave us? One very important thing I have learned is that, throughout our lives, and due to our unique histories, we form and carry underlying thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that unfortunately serve to maintain feelings like anxiety or depression. It is only by meeting the heart and soul of each person in an environment of safety that this can be understood and tackled, so that strategies for change can be uniquely tailored. Collaboratively, we examine ways to bring about a renewed sense of hope, trust, and optimism about oneself, as well as about life overall, despite its many challenges.