Therapy Approach

I approach each client as a unique individual, and believe my role is to help guide him or her towards greater self-understanding and self-acceptance.  In doing so, the client will develop new skills to improve interpersonal relationships and enhance their life experience.  Although my primary approach is psychodynamic, I also utilize techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy and family systems therapy.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is based on helping the client understand unconscious conflicts and patterns that may be creating symptoms and difficulties with relationships.  I find that linking past experiences to current issues is often helpful in promoting personal growth.

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy refers to specific methods and techniques that change the maladaptive or distorted ideas and beliefs an individual holds, as well as the behaviors prevalent in Anxiety and Mood disorders. The rationale behind CBT is that how we think, act, and feel, all interact and influence one another. The client will learn to identify the maladaptive or negative thoughts and beliefs and replace them with more positive thoughts, in turn affecting the dysfunctional behaviors through exposure, response prevention and other behavioral techniques.  Through exercises, the client will learn effective self-help techniques to use in real-life situations.

Family-systems theories view the client's emotional difficulties within the larger context of the family system.  They also examine the ways in which family members may inadvertently reinforce problematic behaviors and relationship patterns.

To set up an appointment or for more information, please contact me at (310) 502-5497 or by e-mail at laura@laurapaulson.com.