Therapeutic Process

As a client, you are encouraged to ask questions or express concerns at any point in your treatment. I believe trust, honesty, and open communication are paramount to a working therapeutic alliance.

Therapy has been shown to have positive benefits for many who participate in the process. The process often leads to significant reduction in feelings of distress, improved relationships, and resolution of specific issues. There are no guarantees, of course, but the above are examples of general goals for therapy. There are also some potential risks associated with therapy, which may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, and frustration, as well as discussing unpleasant aspects of your life or yourself.

During our first session, I will review your intake paperwork, ask questions, and we will establish goals for treatment. By the end of the session, I will be able to offer you some impressions of what our work might include if you decide to continue. Therapy involves a commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful when selecting a counselor. Choosing the right counselor is paramount to positive therapeutic outcomes. I feel that self-disclosure of my physical disability is extremely important knowledge for you to have before deciding to work with me. The main challenge that will impact our work together is my inability to write or type independently. Therefore, I have identified three administrative assistants, Rossana (Rusty) Droz, Valerie Dumais, and Kara Bieniak to assist me.

The Chronic Pain Program (CPP) is a wellness initiative offered in conjunction with Elite Spine and Extremity Physical Therapy located in Amherst NY. The program supports patients with chronic pain in achieving holistic health. Chronic pain affects all aspects of daily functioning, including physical, nutritional, as well as mental and emotional well-being. The program is comprehensive and is based on a team-oriented approach that cannot be found anywhere else in Western New York. People with controlled chronic pain can achieve higher levels of functioning and positive overall outcomes. Participants in the CPP are expected to meet with myself, a physical therapist, and a personal trainer for six or twelve weekly sessions. The cost for three months is $1,475 with physical therapy covered by insurance.