Counseling (Therapy)

What is Therapy?

Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy,” is a collaborative form of treatment in which you meet regularly with a psychologist. It provides a supportive atmosphere where you can work through problems with an objective professional.

Psychotherapy can make a profound difference. It helps you understand how you think, feel, and act to create positive change. Change can come through awareness, insight, new healthy mechanisms, and forms of coping. Depending on the condition, at a very basic level, there is a relationship component that needs to be understood, and often requires working through underlying emotions between the patient and the therapist.

Stages of Therapy

Many people believe that all that therapy involves is talking about issues and problems in one’s life. Therapy done in this form, however, tends to essentially meander along without any significant goals. To us at Contemporary Care, therapy has three critical components.

Alliance

Having a strong alliance with the patient is very important, and a lot of this has to do with transferential issues. Sometimes even the best of therapists may not be the best suited for a given patient. If a patient doesn’t feel a sufficient alliance, it’s important for him/her to therapy shop until he/she feel comfortable with a therapist, because that comfort sets the stage for developing a useful transference to work with.

Insight

Insight is what I call the “detective” phase. Here, you work with the patient to identify what the main problems are, what the patterns of behavior that drive the problems are, what the core early conflicts that lead to these patterns are, and what the possible changes that are necessary are.

Change

This is the coaching phase where, once the potential solutions have been discovered, it takes a tremendous amount of practice for those solutions (behavioral changes) to become automatic. Just knowing how to ride a bicycle does not help one ride it until one practice. So, the behavioral changes that one learns need to be practiced and discussed until there is actual change achieved.

Types of therapy we offer

Psychodynamic Therapy

In psychodynamic therapy, such as psychoanalysis, the therapist acts like a blank slate with very little involvement. The patients get to deal with their transference toward the therapist that is critical to their lives. They can then work their way through that transference with minimal involvement and guidance by the therapist. This is an intense form of therapy that is done every day. Change can take years, but when it does, the transformation is profound and lifelong.

Supportive Therapy

Supportive therapy approaches patients who are more fragile and vulnerable. They need reassurance, advice, and support by the therapist who is actively involved and engaged in advising them. Supportive therapy also should have some problem-solving capacity, but if the advice being provided by the therapist is not sound, nothing is achieved. In some situations, the therapist may be grounded in or versed in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to provide a framework to help the patient work through a difficult situation. Once the critical situation has passed and the patient feels stabilized, they may benefit outside of a supportive framework.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of psychological treatment that has been proven to be effective for a range of issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. CBT is a highly effective form of psychotherapy for many psychological issues. It is based on the premise that understanding and changing negative thoughts, maladaptive behaviors, and emotional dysregulation can lead to improvements in mood and functioning. Each individual’s treatment plan may vary, but the overall objective is to empower the person with the skills to manage their mental health independently over the long term.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to help individuals who experience intense emotions and struggle with self-destructive behaviors, often associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It has also been proven effective for treating chronic suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors, substance use disorders, binge-eating and bulimia, and PTSD. DBT is a comprehensive, evidence-based therapy that addresses severe mental health issues by helping patients develop coping skills. It is particularly effective for individuals who struggle with regulating emotions.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several patients at the same time. This type of therapy can be used to address a wide range of psychological problems and interpersonal issues. Group therapy is an effective and versatile approach to psychotherapy that provides unique benefits through the shared experiences and mutual support of its members.

Couples Therapy

In couples therapy it is important for the therapist to teach patients about the mechanisms behind relationships. If you and your partner or spouse are struggling with conflicts, distress or communication challenges, or simply wish to strengthen intimacy and connection, couples therapy can help. When couples meet regularly with a therapist, they often find the presence of an objective “outside party” helpful as they navigate relationship challenges. Couple’s therapy provides a constructive framework for couples to work through their differences, develop better communication and problem-solving skills, and strengthen their overall relationship.

Call to Action

If you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in patterns that are holding you back from living your best life our psychotherapy practice is here to provide you with the support and tools you need to navigate life’s challenges and create positive change. Our team of dedicated therapists are experienced in a variety of therapeutic approaches and are committed to helping you achieve your personal goals and improve your mental well-being.

Schedule an Appointment now

Who should seek therapy?

Psychotherapy can be helpful to most anyone experiencing emotional challenges or who feels the need for emotional support. Signs you may really benefit from the treatment include:

Feeling continually or frequently helpless, overwhelmed, or sad
Feeling as though your problems don’t improve, despite your efforts
Having difficulty concentrating or completing tasks
Partaking in harmful behaviors
Worrying excessively

Why Us

At our practice, we offer a warm and welcoming environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe and non-judgmental space. Our therapists specialize in a range of issues, including:

Anxiety and stress management
Depression and mood disorders
Relationship issues
Trauma and PTSD
Grief and loss
Self-esteem and personal growth

We accept Medicare and Most commercial insurances.

At a time when most therapists do not accept insurance, we are an anomaly. We take Medicare and Most commercial insurances so that the benefits of therapy and counseling are available to all levels of income and all backgrounds.

What is individual psychotherapy like?

Individual psychotherapy usually involves weekly or biweekly sessions with your therapist, each lasting about 45-50 minutes. The trained and experienced psychologists at Contemporary Care draw on a variety of approaches and strive to provide a confidential, safe, and supportive environment aimed at developing effective therapy relationships with each patient.

Make an Appointment now

Take action for your mental wellness today—your path to renewed hope and well-being starts here.

Our Patients Reviews

“The medication management treatment at Contemporary Care has truly changed my life. I feel more in control and optimistic about my future.”

I have been with contemporary health for years now. Jen is phenomenal, understanding and caring. I feel comfortable and trust I’m getting the best care. I just had my first session with Marlyna and will continue to see her. I felt a connection and look forward to seeing her next week! I think this will be a very positive experience!

Since I met Dr. Perera, I have been very impressed with his professionalism and quiet demeanor. He is very easy to talk with and I have become very comfortable with him in a very short time. I truly recommend dealing with him. The staff at Contemporary Care is most gracious as well and I feel that I can trust them.

I respect Dr. Sickenger so much and I find that she is highly intelligent and excellent at her job. My therapist Marlanya has helped me, too and we get along great. I understand her and we have a great understanding of each other.

I Love Dr. Ammerman he’s so caring and so adaptable to my schedule. He’s so patient and so accommodating.

Testimonials