therapy
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
What is psychotherapy? Individual therapy is a process in which a trusting relationship is established between a therapist and client with the intent of treating mental and emotional distress and creating change in one’s life. Much of the “work” is done by engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue about the client’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings, behaviors, relationships, traumas, hopes, needs, and wants.
Dr. Sierra will work collaboratively to help you identify your primary goals and targets for change. She aims to create a safe and trusting environment so that you and she can get curious together about your past, present, and future. Her approach is nonjudgmental, validating, accepting, and compassionate. She is also highly attuned to others which gives her a great capacity for empathy.
“The curious paradox is that when I can accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
This quote, by Carl Rogers, the father of Person-centered therapy, forms the foundation of Dr. Sierra’s therapeutic approach. It is only when we can accept ourselves, others, our circumstances, and ultimately our lives, just as they are that we can then create space for change.
Over time, you will learn to become much more aware and attuned to your internal thoughts, feelings, needs, conflicts, desires, and resistances in order to cultivate self-awareness, self-understanding, and self-acceptance which creates space for growth, improvement, and change.
At the same time, therapy often involves more experiential techniques and exercises in session and/or “homework” outside of session to learn effective ways to manage stress and anxiety; regulate and process difficult emotions; increase tolerance for distress; improve attention, concentration, and performance; build resiliency; and, cultivate, maintain, strengthen, repair, and/or heal meaningful relationships.
Dr. Sierra integrates a range of well-established and highly effective therapeutic modalities, including:
Psychodynamic/Relational
Person-centered
Mindfulness-based practices for anxiety, stress reduction, performance enhancement, self-compassion
Cognitive-behavioral
Internal Family Systems
DBT
Motivational Interviewing
Not sure if therapy is right for you or someone you know?
Call Dr. Sierra for a free 15-minute phone consultation at 410-919-4904 Ext. 4. Or, fill out this contact form and
Dr. Sierra will get back to you within 1 business day.