• MFT or LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a master’s degree in psychology, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, or marital and family therapy. Emphasis is on primary service in counseling and psychotherapy from a variety of therapeutic orientations with individuals, couples, families, and groups.
• LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master’s degree in clinical social work. Emphasis on primary service in psychosocial diagnosis, assessment and treatment, client advocacy, consultation, evaluation and research.
• Psychologist: Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field with a license to practice therapy and conducts psychological testing and research.
• Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry. Emphasis on primary service in prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications and sometimes offers psychotherapy.

Source: California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (www.camft.org)

People enter therapy for many different reasons. Psychotherapy may be described as a professional relationship between a client and a therapist that focuses on facilitating change in the client‘s life. Counseling or psychotherapy offers people support when they are going through difficult times, life changes, or when they decide to make healthy changes in our lives. In order for therapy to provide some results, it requires an honest work and effort on your behalf. If you are looking for a quick fix for your problems or more direct and/or hands-on approach, we will discuss these with you and determine if coaching may suit your needs better.

Each person has a unique experience in therapy and the length of treatment varies among individuals. Therefore there is no set time limit.  We will discuss your goals for treatment in the first few sessions.

While we will collaboratively decide what best possible treatment for you may be at the moment, you have the right to refuse to participate in certain therapeutic techniques. You can choose to terminate the therapy at any time and yet it is important for you to discuss this matter with your therapist prior to termination. If we, for any reason, cannot provide a high quality of care or a beneficial treatment to you, we will provide you with three expert referrals.

Therapy is a unique and highly individual experience with the outcome determined by the effort and motivation you bring to work towards a change in yourself and how you see the world around you.

Your therapy can result in a number of benefits to you and has the potential to help you gain new or deeper understanding about your issues and learn new ways of coping with and solving them. I encourage you to explore those feelings during your sessions, as they are part of the therapeutic process.

While therapy can be painful at times, some of the potential benefits include: insight, skills to handle situations more effectively, learning healthful coping, better relationships, and a return to living a fulfilling and balanced life.

While therapy can lead to insight and positive changes in your life, it can also surface painful feelings. We will be here to support you through whatever comes up in your therapy. Personal growth and change may be easy and swift at times, but may also be slow and frustrating. We encourage you to address any concerns you have regarding your progress in therapy with your therapist.

While most people find therapy beneficial, there can never be a guarantee for specific outcomes. Your personal dedication and active participation in the process will increase the likelihood that you will be satisfied with the outcome of your therapy.

There are many different approaches to therapy but there are a few underlying principles we value:

• First, therapeutic relationship and the resources you and your therapist both bring into therapy are very important; We will make sure we create one of respect and safety.
• Your desire, hope, and expectations for a change/growth are essential to successful outcomes.
• At Creating Lasting Connections Therapy Center, we believe in each individual’s autonomy to choose and your potential for change. Therefore, we are going to facilitate that natural change process within yourself.
• We believe that therapy can provide you with a new awareness and insight that can positively change your experience. Usually these new experiences are those to motivate us most to change, take action, and grow.
• It is our goal to strengthen your ability to develop a foundation of inner trust and wisdom, which will enable you to experience more meaning, purpose, and joy in life. Regardless of the challenges you face, it is our intention to help you create positive lasting change, connection, and love in your relationships by also discovering and reaching your true potential.

Any information shared with your therapist during the course of your therapy will be kept strictly confidential, except when limited by California State law or unless you give your therapist written permission to release information. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement (aka “Informed Consent”), and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.

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