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HIPAA Compliant

Dr. Carolyn Anderson

Psychotherapy and Testing

When can psychotherapy help?

  • When cognitive, emotional or behavioral symptoms are interfering with daily functioning and general life satisfaction.
  • When a sense of emptiness or unclear purpose pervades the self -concept.
  • When relationships are unsatisfying, conflictual or self-defeating
  • When a life transition event (e.g., death of a loved one, divorce, aging) requires adjustment to change

What kinds of problems and conditions are specialty areas in Dr. Anderson's psychotherapy practice?

  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Relationship problems

When is psychological testing indicated?

  • To make a definitive diagnosis of a psychological condition or to rule out a possible condition
  • To clarify issues that need to be addressed in therapy and to aid in developing an effective treatment plan
  • To assess an individual's level of psychological health and functioning for some specific purpose (e.g., prospective employment, pre-surgery assessment, etc.)

What is Dr. Anderson's approach to psychotherapy?

Grounded in the psychodynamic, existential and cognitive-behavioral traditions of psychology, Dr. Anderson's approach is based on these assumptions:

  • People seek not only relief from suffering, but an understanding of their difficulties.
  • The central challenge of psychotherapy is not only to generate insight, but to transform insight into behavioral change.
  • People possess the internal resources needed to make and maintain the changes they desire. Psychotherapy can help them access and mobilize those resources.

Typical sessions reflect these assumptions and include some combination of insight-oriented dialogue and action-oriented planning and problem-solving. Goals are collaboratively developed and progress is reviewed regularly. Client feedback about the therapeutic process is strongly encouraged, as is a willingness to complete "homework" assignments. Examples might include experimenting with a new behavior, keeping a log on a problematic behavior, reading a relevant book or article, or writing in a journal. The best outcomes are achieved when the client fully engages with the process and essentially learns to become his or her own therapist.

When is individual therapy, rather than couples or family therapy, indicated?

Individual therapy is indicated when a person has symptoms or personal growth issues to be addressed. Couples or family therapy may be a better choice when:

  • The client is 16 or younger.
  • A family system has complicated dynamics and interlocking issues, such that change is needed in the system rather than in any one individual.
  • A partnership is strained or at risk through poor communications, infidelity, or other circumstances.