Psychoeduation There are many approaches to therapy as there are therapists. Whether you are knowledgeable about therapy approaches or not, understanding the rationale a therapist uses to help you can actually support your healing. This is why psychoeducation is so important in the therapeutic process. Generally speaking, there is nothing gained from keeping you in the dark.
Approach My approach to helping is eclectic. This simply means I don't strictly adhere to one way of working--and I'm not alone. I often use various approaches, including psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioral, dialectic behavioral, existential, feminist, and relational therapies, as well as mindfulness and EMDR. The reason for this is not fanciful; it's practical. We have the research to show what we do works. We know, for instance, that cognitive behavioral therapy works for depression, anxiety, anger management and traumas with standardized protocols; dialectic behavioral therapy is indicated for some personality disorders, self-harm and suicidality; mindfulness is extremely helpful and shows impact for stress and anxiety as well as substance abuse; and EMDR shows evidence that it works for PTSD, trauma related disorders, depression, anxiety and shows some evidence of efficacy and effectiveness with addiction treatment. So that's the science. It indicates that some forms of therapy are more effective than others for particular symptoms.
Common Factors in Healing The science of psychotherapy also reveals to us there are other factors in your healing.
Do you feel there is an alliance with your therapist?
Do you feel the therapist empathizes with you?
Does the therapist understand your life?
Does the therapist possess qualities you like?
Any good therapist will tell you that there is also just something about noticing a pattern we want to change, sharing that longing for change with someone we believe might be able to help us, and engaging with that person through their curiosity and non-judgment to find out how to make life different. From there, we set out to make small heroic changes over time.
I feel really honored that I get to walk with my clients and witness them make the changes they want most.
I serve Echo Park, Silverlake, Los Feliz, Atwater and the surrounding areas including Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Mt. Washington, Downtown LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Burbank, Studio City. Areas of focus include Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Self-Esteem, Mental Health, Grief, Loss, Medical Issues, Addiction, Trauma, LGBT-Affirmative, Work Issues, Men's Issues. Ray Cochran, LCSW CA License#: LCS81770