We have been working for decades with clients presenting with self-destructive habits like self-injury, substance abuse, bulimia and binge eating, problem gambling, and cyber-porn. Many of these clients have already had multiple unsuccessful treatment experiences and often are pressured to see us by their intimate partners or parents to eliminate their problematic habits. Two major […]

With a given family, each family member may be in a different stage of readiness to change at the beginning of counseling. For example, it is not uncommon for some fathers and adolescents being forced to go for therapy to be in the precontemplative stage of readiness to change that is, they do not see […]

When we are truly present with our clients, that is listening deeply and generously to their problem stories and they acknowledge that they feel felt and understood by us, can greatly contribute to strengthening the alliance building process with them. Therapeutic presence is not just listening to our clients with a third ear but it […]

One of the most important client extra-therapeutic factors therapists must attend to is, honoring clients’ preferences. Our belief is that all clients know what is best for them and as therapists we need to best meet their needs and wishes for what their visions are for the most ideal therapeutic experience. They should take the […]

In my therapeutic work with clients, I strive to be totally transparent with sharing my hunches, ideas, and feelings with them. I also regularly invite their feedback about any recommended adjustments I need to make to help them feel more satisfied with our work together. That said, we all have had certain challenging clients in […]