Does my Therapy Work?

Yes! Recent research suggests that the average person receiving marital therapy is significantly better off than 84% of those who don’t seek treatment, and that treatment gains are generally sustained over time. In fact, the “effect size” (a statistic that essentially says how well some method of treatment works) for marital therapy is higher than the effect size for coronary bypass surgery for angina! In other words, if you get quality marriage counseling, your marriage has a better chance of succeeding than your angina has of being treated successfully through coronary bypass surgery! There is similar research about the effectiveness of the individual therapy approaches that I use.

That said, neither I nor any other therapist can guarantee positive results. Much of it depends on what you do during the 167 hours a week you're not in counseling, whether the therapist’s techniques, values, etc. are a good fit with you, whether the therapist knows and believes in what he/she is doing, and so forth.

I strive to have therapy feel like a safe place to explore your difficulties. My clients often mention that they appreciate feeling safe and supported, yet stretched as well. Even though I have an extensive knowledge of the approaches listed below, you will feel like I am working with you rather than doing things to you. I'm a human first; a scientist second! Most of my clients say that I am good at connecting with them and helping them feel heard rather than being a stuffy, ivory-tower academic. I try to make sure that's always the case.

Reference: Shadish, W. R., & Baldwin, S. A. (2002). Meta-analysis of MFT interventions. In D. H. Sprenkle (Ed.), Effectiveness research in marriage and family therapy (pp. 339-370). Alexandria, VA: American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

My Clinical Approach

Generally speaking, I come from a family systems approach to counseling. A systemic approach assumes that a person's difficulties are best understood within the context of the different "systems" they are involved in -- family, work, etc. Most problems are not "within" a person, but rather are "between" people. When looking at the big picture, what most people describe as "symptoms" often become understandable responses to difficult situations. The focus of systemic therapy is to empower those involved to change the situation they find themselves in -- a much more hopeful approach than believing that you possess some problem within you that you have to get rid of.

There are several systemic models of therapy, many of which have been shown in scientific studies to be effective. I am competent in and use most effective systemic models, and prefer to determine which approach to use after I get to know you. Systemic approaches that I use include:

Emotionally-Focused Therapy Bowen Family System Theory MRI/Communications Theory Cognitive Behavioral Marital Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy

If there's a model of therapy that you are familiar with and would like to use, please email or call me at (916) 565-3513 to see if I am qualified to provide the approach you desire. If I'm not, chances are that I know someone who is and I can give you a referral.

What should I expect?

After our initial contact via telephone or email, the next step is to go to the "paperwork" page and download the first session documents. Bring those three completed forms with you to your first session.

My Sacramento office is located on the second floor of the KVIE Public Television building. It is just a few minutes drive from downtown Sacramento, which allows many busy professionals to see me during their lunch hour. To reach my office, go in the main entrance to the KVIE building. From there, go upstairs to Alliant International University's campus. If you're early, make yourself comfortable in the waiting room and I'll be out soon. If you're late or on time, just knock on my door -- it's office #6 on your left. Don't feel shy about calling me if you get lost the first time, either. It happens often!

My Roseville office can be reached by taking I-80 to Douglas West. Turn right at Judah Street and look immediately to your right (past Bud's cleaners). My office is located down a narrow street called "Gopher Gulch" on your right. (Yes, I said "Gopher Gulch!). My suite is down the stairs with the black railing. If you're early, feel free to grab a soda from the fridge while you're waiting.

The first session typically consists primarily of you telling your (and your partner/family members, if applicable) story of why you're seeking counseling. I'll ask several questions throughout the first session to help me get a picture of your situation. Many people find a lot of relief even in the first session! From there, we will collaborate together on what changes need to happen to best help you. Therapy may be very active with lots of advice, homework, etc. or fairly passive while you explore various aspects of your situation. It all depends on what you and I think best suits you and your situation.

How much does it cost?

The fee for a typical 50-minute session is $100, with sessions being billed in 1/2 hour increments thereafter.

I provide counseling on a fee-for-service basis. I do not accept insurance at this time. Some insurance companies will reimburse their clients if they submit a receipt for services received. I'd be glad to provide such a receipt and help you with any additional paperwork in this situation.

At first glance, therapy can seem expensive. Do the costs justify the potential benefits? It may help to think of the costs of therapy this way: research suggests that, although there are no guarantees, many people achieve meaningful, lasting results after 10-12 sessions of therapy. The cost for those sessions is about what you’d expect to pay for a low-end sofa/loveseat combo! So, would you rather be rid of whatever ails you, or have a new cheap couch?

How long does it last?

Though length of time in therapy varies from person to person, most of my clients complete treatment in around 8-12 sessions. There are exceptions to that, of course. Many people come in for 2-3 sessions just to get “re-centered," while others like to come in for much longer. Either way, many people start to feel better in 3-6 sessions, and can maintain positive changes on their own by 12 sessions.

Some challenges take longer than others, of course. A person that suffered severe abuse for several years may be in counseling longer than someone struggling with general life dissatisfaction, for example. If we decide that long-term therapy would be beneficial, I use different measurements to ensure that continuous gains are made.

Values Statement

A therapist’s values will inevitably influence the way they conduct therapy. The paths a therapist guides you down – either subtly or overtly – are inescapably influenced by their values. It is imperative that you find a therapist that either shares your values or, if your values differ, is able to respectfully work within yours without inadvertently imposing theirs. This can be especially true when the issue involves the potential dissolution of a marriage or other family issues. Most people seeking a therapist know this intuitively, but aren’t quite sure how to make a choice they feel comfortable with. I’ve included a discussion about my values pertaining to marriage that will hopefully help you in making that decision.

I believe that in most instances a couple should stay married. There are exceptions to this, of course, such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse, or other instances where the relationship has gotten so corrosive that it is “soul-destroying,” so to speak. In most cases, though, you’ll carry the personal issues that contribute to your current marital and/or family problems with you no matter what relationship you are in, so I believe that you may as well work through them in your current relationship!

The “glow” of the early days of marriage inevitably wears off – your partner puts on a few pounds, your spouse’s habits you once admired become those you despise, and life simply has a tendency to get in a rut. Whether or not this happens isn’t the issue – it will. Whether you stick through it together is the issue, and, until one of you requests otherwise, I will work with you to preserve your marriage and/or family as you navigate those difficulties. In short, I try to be the kind of therapist I’d want to visit if my marriage were in crisis and I was confused about what I wanted and what to do.