Psychotherapy

The menu bar of this site provides a list of the various services I provide in my clinical practice, which include assessment, alternative dispute resolution and consultation services. The practice of psychotherapy has always been my core professional activity-- I have been a practicing psychotherapist for well over thirty-five years. My clinical psychology practice centers upon the provision of psychotherapy with adolescents, adults and older adults.

People seek counseling for a variety of reasons: management of mood problems, management of anxiety, difficulties adjusting to new life circumstances, transitions or changes, relationship problems and a host of other challenges.

Often, an important service I provide when working with an individual, family or couple is to re-frame their difficulties in a way which suggests a solution. That’s not to say that I have the solution, only that psychotherapy can be a catalyst for constructive change. While stressful circumstances can be uncomfortable, these periods can also be opportunities for personal growth.

My own practice pattern emphasizes a few core values and concepts:

Relationship-based practice

In the mediation world they have a saying: the best solutions come from the client. A central feature of my humanistic-based training is an emphasis upon a collaborative therapeutic alliance. I seek to be at all times collaborative and aim to stay close to the patient’s own goals.

Evidenced-based practice

Some of the most influential studies on whether psychotherapy works come from the mid-‘70’s through the ‘80’s. We now know that certain interventions enjoy particular empirical support for their use with specific populations or with certain conditions. Over my years of practice, I have been open to new developments in the field, have sought training in certain interventions and have ensure that my practice pattern is informed the ever-expanding body of literature regarding evidence-based therapies.

Developmental conceptualizations

My training with children and adolescents fostered an appreciation of developmental considerations whenever assessing or treating a mental health condition.

Family systems influences

I've come to appreciate the importance of family dynamics, roles, scripts, repeated patterns and modeling of one’s family of origin in understanding psychological distress and as a guide to intervention.

Motivational interviewing

This is a therapy skill with wide applicability and is also an area in which I provide consultation and training. The approach comes from health psychology and is often utilized in substance use treatment settings. It is a strategy which helps to reinforce personal goals as people chart their way through the phases of behavior change.

Skills orientation

My training and experience with DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) has certainly shaped my practice pattern. Regardless of the specific issues of concern—mood, anxiety, anger management, coping with stress—the central difficulty is often an experience of a flooded emotional state of mind. The practical skills which comprise DBT provide a means of preventing and managing distress.

Shorter-term approach

While there certainly are instances where I will work with someone for an extended period of time, my general approach is based upon an expectation that the course of counseling will be focused and shorter term in nature.

For more information about the psychotherapy services available through Hawthorn Counseling Group please contact Dr. Jochem at (847) 680-0755 or jdjochem@proton.me.