Meryl Fingrutd LICSW | PH.D

TRAINING

SPECIALTIES AND AREAS OF INTEREST

What is psychotherapy?  

Psychotherapy is a practice of helping people solve conflicts in their lives, particularly when they find that they can't do it alone. Sometimes our problems originate in childhood but have created current life difficulties in relationships, work and daily functioning. People may feel they should have resolved issues that go back to their early years, but all therapists, no matter what their style of practice, understand how early trauma or other difficulties can take a deep hold on us and make it nearly impossible to change. Therapy should provide a safe, supportive, non- judgmental environment to look back, understand and grow.

Sometimes our problems are a fact of life - divorce, unemployment, physical illness, loss of a loved one etc. and we need extra help getting through. Many people don't want to burden friends and loved ones around them. Therapists can be good listeners and sometimes offer practical help as well as psychological support. Therapists differ in the way they provide help - some do talk therapy, some incorporate mind/body work and stress management techniques, some offer other specialized techniques such as hypnosis and EMDR. Many therapists define themselves as "eclectic" meaning that they incorporate a variety of psychotherapy frameworks and techniques.

Finally, many people fear that if they go to a therapist they are weak, silly, overdramatic, helpless and even disloyal to their family. It is wonderful, of course, to solve problems alone and feel good about working something through on one's own. However, seeking extra support often makes a world of difference in how quickly and thoughtfully we make changes. Therapists try to foster growth, not dependence.