Jan Morris, Ph.D., CGP, ABPP

People come to see me for a number of reasons.  Some are seeking help for anxiety or depression.  Some are going through a hard time, like divorce, death of a loved one, a break-up, or post-partum depression or post-partum anxiety.   Some are wanting to have healthier and more satisfying relationships with others.  Some are haunted by experiences stemming from childhood or the more recent past.  All are seeking a better life, a pathway to some kind of transformation, a greater sense of peace or confidence. Therapy is a good way to work toward these goals.
 

What happens in therapy?

The therapy process takes different paths depending on your needs and the plan we develop for working together.  Whether we work in individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, or some combination of modalities, I believe therapy helps by giving you an opportunity to talk openly about yourself, your life, your struggles, and what prevents you from having the kind of life you wish to have.  The more you talk, the more we understand together how experiences, perceptions, beliefs, and relationships have impacted you.  The more we know together, the less likely you are to feel like you are in the grip of reactions and struggles that have felt intractable.  The relationship between you and me becomes a meaningful source of connection, providing the possibility to see yourself in a new way, to transform feelings of shame or embarrassment into compassionate understanding, or to convert difficult feelings into constructive language.  The therapist-client relationship can be a source of strength, comfort, confidence, and courage.
 

How does therapy help?

Just like an athlete works with a trainer to combine talent, training, practice, nutrition and rest for better performance, a psychotherapy client works with a therapist to discover his or her natural gifts, excavate important historical factors, understand the world of emotions, promote healing, and help the mind work more fully and competently toward healthier relationships and sense of self.  The result of this talking therapy is strengthened capacity to handle life’s difficulties, and greater ability to feel and understand emotions and use them productively without being overwhelmed by them.

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