Wendy Wasson, Ph.D.

My Approach to Therapy

We begin our work by developing an understanding of the symptoms that bring you in for therapy, or the places where you are feeling stuck or stymied in your own efforts to feel fulfilled and/or manage your life effectively.

• We may have blind spots, “baggage from the past”, and motivations we are unaware of that powerfully impact our behavior, ways of relating to others, and thinking about ourselves and our current situations. These filters from the past can powerfully impact our lives and limit our possibilities and sense of choice. (Psychodynamic) 
• We may not have learned certain skills that can help us cope more effectively in the present. For example, skills related to communication, conflict management, calming ourselves and regulating our emotional reactions. We may have found that expressing and asserting ourselves was dangerous or futile during our early years, and learned to avoid rather than step up to situations. In addition, some people have not had the opportunity to develop accurate relationship “maps” that guide them towards satisfying or fulfilling relationships. (Cognitive-Behavioral) 
• We may need a safe space within which to feel free to communicate, express and explore feelings, and be in better connection with ourselves (and ultimately others). (Relational).  

Although transitions can be challenging and the symptoms or problems that bring a person into therapy may seem uncomfortable and overwhelming, they can also be a point of access for growth, resolution of the past, and moving forward.

Individuals who have completed therapy can find themselves feeling more energized, engaged in the world around them, able to manage their emotions more effectively, and peaceful. Their relationships improve, as do their feelings about themselves, confidence, and sense of competence. They experience resilience in the face of the stresses, losses, and obstacles that life presents.