According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word psychotherapy comes from the Ancient Greek words psychē (pronounced [‘saiki]), meaning breath, spirit, or soul and therapeia, to nurse or cure. Its use was first noted around 1890. The psyche refers to the forces in an individual that influence thought, behavior, and personality, as well as to the concept of the self, encompassing the modern ideas of soul, self, and mind. The Greeks believed that the soul or psyche was responsible for behavior.
Psychotherapy is the treatment designed to encourage communication of conflicts and getting insight into problems, with the goal to relieve symptoms, assist in resolving emotional or behavioral issues, support changes in behavior leading to improvement in social and vocational functioning as well as facilitate personal growth and well-being of an individual.
My primary approach and theoretical orientation to the process of counseling is Integrative, and I tend to use Integrative Psychotherapy. Integrative Psychotherapy affirms the inherent value of each individual and responds appropriately and effectively to the person at the affective, behavioral, cognitive, and physiological level of functioning, as well as addresses the spiritual dimensions of life.
My philosophy of healing is Holistic. The word holistic comes from a Greek word meaning all, entire, total. Holistic approach is concerned with whole or with complete system rather than with its component parts alone. In holistic approach body, mind, and spirit are seen in unity. Therefore, I perceive physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human life in unity as closely interconnected and equally important to treatment.
While practicing Integrative Psychotherapy, I use a wide array of theoretical approaches and therapeutic modalities and interventions which are suitable and most beneficial for the patient at a particular time of counseling for a particular problem and are in the agreement with patient’s personal philosophy of life, worldviews, and system of beliefs.
These approaches include, but are not limited to: Person-Centered (focused on the client’s story & therapy relationship), Humanistic/Existential (focused on responsibility, freedom, choices, anxiety, isolation, self-acceptance, meaning of life), Gestalt (focused on self-awareness), Cognitive and Cognitive Behavioral (focuses on dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitions), Rational-Emotive Behavioral (helping client reframe negative thought patterns that lead to faulty behaviors), Solution-Focused (brief, problem solving), Supportive (intended to relieve symptoms or help the patient live with them rather than attempt changes in character structure), Narrative (giving meaning to experiences and helping determine feelings and attitudes based on client’s stories), Reminiscence (acknowledging and respecting life and individual’s experiences), and Psycho-Educational (education about psychological concepts).
In my practice I carefully choose and combine various treatment modalities and make them cohesively work to the benefit of a patient. I attempt to address various aspects of human personality in a holistic, integrative way. Using integrative approach, I am always interested in not only what works, but why it works.
No matter what approaches I use, I always strive to recognizing, attending to, and utilizing my clients' strengths throughout the therapeutic process. I strongly believe that authenticity, genuineness, and trust in therapeutic relationship are key values for healing.
