Our approach to treatment
How it works
We work with you collaboratively to help reach your goals in psychotherapy. Together, we assess difficulties and strengths and intervene in a timely, active, and professional manner.
Talking to someone who is objective and not directly involved in your life can change how you view your own thoughts. Moreover, unlike friends and family, a professional psychologist can help you to think through things in a more neutral manner.
We’re professionals and licensed psychologists.
Drs. Buzzini and Jacobson are well-trained, professional psychologists. We belong to professional organizations and subscribe to a rigorous code of conduct and ethics. We regularly attend trainings and seminars to keep our skills fresh and to update our knowledge. Our approaches are backed by research and best practices. We are open to non-traditional approaches, but we are never trendy or experimental, and we avoid unproven methods.
Read more about the therapists »
We’ll listen to you, understand you, and accept you.
Everyone wants to be heard and understood on his or her own terms. We listen carefully and ask the important questions. We seek to appreciate your experience from your point of view. We look to shed light on problems, not to judge you for them. We offer insight, and go easy on advice that is not specifically requested.
It’s not as hard as it seems.
It can be difficult to seek help and to share deeply personal things with a stranger, so we make it as easy and comfortable as possible. For example, when you first call, we will ask only for some very basic identifying information, insurance data, and a very brief statement about why you seek counseling. We won’t ask you to go into a lot of detail.
We seek to be good listeners, to see things through your eyes and in the context of your experiences. We are here to understand, to support, and offer active professional guidance when appropriate.
We maintain the highest standards
We pride ourselves on our professionalism. We prize our reputations and strive to maintain the highest ethical standards and the best practices. We treat everyone with respect and dignity, while ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Above all, we uphold professional boundaries.
Why it works
Counseling works for different reasons. It works because it helps you see the way you analyze experiences, emotions, and patterns of thought and behavior that get you in “a rut”. It works because the relationship between client and therapist is non-judgmental and supportive. It works because proven techniques allow for use of different means to the same ends.
While many people benefit from the use of medications, “talk therapy”, and particularly cognitive therapy, can be at least as effective, and even produce more stable and longer-lasting results. Often, those who are treated with both medication and psychotherapy can stay on lower dosages of their medication or perhaps to discontinue some medications in the long term.
How long will therapy last?
Therapy is a very individualized process, so there is no set or typical timeline. Instead, we will identify your goals, and conclude therapy when we agree that you have gotten what you need from it. That said, many issues can be resolved with fewer than a dozen sessions, depending on the problems and the strengths/resources one has.
Your privacy
Counseling clearly works best when you are completely assured that what you share with your therapist is not shared with anyone else. Accordingly, we not only respect your confidentiality, we are bound by law and professional ethics to guarantee it. There are a few exceptions, mainly related to protecting your safety and that of others, but these are explained in the initial paperwork. Otherwise, we make no disclosures nor share any records without your written consent.
What do we expect of you?
By and large, because we are here for you, we expect relatively little. We do expect you to keep or cancel in advance appointments that you make, and to remain open to suggestions. We do understand, however, that sometimes a person’s condition makes follow through difficult.
We also expect that you will keep current with any copayments, co-insurance, or other fees. Payment is due at the time of service.
We look for you to cooperate in your treatment. We want your input in identifying goals and objectives, in determining what treatment approaches are best suited for you, and in providing feedback for the effectiveness of the counseling.