FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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1. What are the differences amongst counselling, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis?

The main differences lie in both the education and attitude of the therapist.  In supportive counselling, counsellors help patients in their daily struggles.  They may straight up offer advice and some “homework” for patients to do between sessions. 

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Psychodynamic psychotherapists usually work in at least 2 ways; ego-supportive psychotherapy and/or insight-oriented psychotherapy.  Therapists believe that answers lie within the patient.   Patients know best about what is good for themselves.  The therapist listens to the patient’s situation and problems and considers childhood and family history.   The therapist will help the patient cope with their struggles and enable them to accept and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.   They will help patients find new ways of looking at situations and develop new coping skills. 

 

Psychoanalysts work similarly to psychotherapists.  One main difference is that the psychoanalyst offers a greater understanding of the origins of the patients’ struggles.  They analyze a patient’s personality structure, dreams, and deeper conflicts.  In general results in treatment are achieved faster in psychoanalysis.

 

2. If I want to talk to you, does that mean I am crazy?

This is a very popular question.  The answer is NOT AT ALL.  People who seek out therapy of any kind are quite strong and very brave.  Psychologically speaking, people who want to speak with therapists function typically as the family caretakers.    

 

3. How long will it take for me to “heal”?

I generally don’t like to use the phrase, “It depends.” But, in fact, there are no absolutes, and each experience is so personal. So, how long therapy will take depends on what you are looking to get out of it. It also depends on your ultimate desire to be in therapy. You have total say on how long the therapy lasts. I periodically do a “check-in” with my patients. This means I will ask questions such as, “How are we doing together as therapist and patient?” “How are you doing on your own, outside the consulting room?” “Is your life getting better/worse/staying the same?” Some people need short-term, solution-focused therapy. Some look for longer-term psychotherapy/psychoanalysis. People end therapy when their problems start to diminish. If treatment goes well, your problems will be lessened or alleviated. This is my hope for you.

 

4. What is your working style?

I am trained as a psychoanalyst in the interpersonal/relational psychotherapy school of thought.  This means that I try to get to know you, and to develop a working relationship with you.  I ask specific and detailed questions, volunteer some input, work as your sounding board, and am responsive to your feedback.  At times, to give you space to reflect on your stories and feelings, I become a quiet observer.  I don’t use the technique of sitting in silence for a long period of time, however, because this makes some patients uncomfortable. Overall, my patients have described me as patient, warm, open, curious, observant, and direct.  In addition to working as a psychotherapist/psychoanalyst, I am also trained in couple therapy, group therapy, addictions, and Cognitive-Behavioral therapy.  I see patients from one to three times per week.   

 

5. How long is each session?  How often do we meet?

An individual session lasts 45 minutes.  A couple session is 1 hour. I meet with patients once per week if we are doing psychodynamic psychotherapy.  I meet with patients up to 3 times per week for psychoanalysis. 

 

6. How much does each session cost?

Because I want psychotherapy to be accessible to everyone who needs it, I work on a sliding scale fee.  This means that I account for your resources and expenses.  Fees will be discussed during the first session. 

 

7. What if I need to cancel a session?

Once the appointment is set, I reserve the hour for you.  I require 24 hours advance cancellation notice from you.  If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours prior to the session, I will need to charge you the full session fee. 

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Couple therapy FAQ:

 1. What is couple therapy?

Any problem that occurs within a relationship is a relationship problem.  The problem does not lie only in one person.  So Couple Therapy is a space where the couple and I come together to figure out how they can become unstuck and move forward with their lives.

 

2. Does it work?

The success rate of couple therapy is 70%.  Usually, people who engage me are either in crisis mode or are in a standstill within their relationship.  They describe themselves as feeling stuck, losing hope, being despondent, showing anger toward each other, etc.  Together we examine where each person is in the relationship and focus on solving the root problems.

 

3. What do I do as a couple therapist?

I first look at what each individual needs and then consider what the couple needs.  I work with the couple to put out the current fires and then plan for the future.  I ask: “When you are done with couple therapy, how do you want your relationship to be”?  Then we start working from there, backwards.

 

4. What is the Couple Therapy process?

 

• Creating a safe space for you to speak/listen to your significant other

• Understanding your problems and their origins

• Getting to know you and your goal(s) as a couple

• Redirecting fights

• Help to resolve issues

 

 

 5. What don’t I do as a couple therapist?

 

• Hold secrets for any person in the dyad

• Take sides

• Give up before you do

• Assert my own agenda

 

 

6. How long does it take?

This depends on the couple’s unique situation.  Couple therapy can be short-term or long-term, according to what each couple needs.  Generally, people feel relieved after the first few sessions because they realize that there is hope and a way forward.

 

7. How long does a session last?

One hour.

 

8. Can you conduct therapy in both languages?

Yes.  Because I am fluent in Thai and English, I can conduct therapy in both languages simultaneously as well.

 

9. How much does couple therapy cost?

I work on a sliding scale fee.  This means that I account for your resources and expenses.  Fees will be discussed during the first session.

 

10. What if I need to cancel a session?

Once the appointment is set, I reserve the hour for you and your significant other.  I require 24 hours advance cancellation notice from you.  If the cancellation is within 24 hours, I will need to charge you the full session fee. 

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