Mrs. Shah has been encouraging and supportive in my healing process…many of the momentous emotional themes have emerged with her simply listening…I am grateful and what she does has made a significant difference in my life. S.M.

I don’t know where I would be today had I not sought therapy and the help of Mrs. Shah.

Mrs. Shah makes me feel like I can say anything to her, she has great insight and helps me develop different points of view about my problems, she is a very special person…m.s.

It is quite often that the “objects in the rearview mirror appear larger or closer than they really are”, and guide us forward, perhaps even mislead us. Looking back in time, images of Psychotherapy are everywhere. When we think of therapy, we are drawn to an image of a bearded gentleman dressed in a black suit, with a pipe hanging out of his mouth. He is situated in a very sober room with a client who is stretched out on a sofa and is either weeping or hysterically expressing her/his woes.
We’re surrounded by images in movies, on television and through radio talk shows that help us to stereotype and/also clarify our misunderstood descriptions of therapy. Cartoons and jokes in magazines refer to helping professionals as “shrinks,” people trained to hypnotize and make you magically behave differently. Additionally, our family, friends, and co-workers reinforce the image of weakness and defeat if one were to seek out help. History has also outlined Psychiatric services for the severely disabled mentally ill person; leaving many individuals with the perception that therapy is not for them and rendering help would make them mentally ill. Thus, the apprehension that a person has in seeking therapy is brought about through our preconceived notions and the underpinnings of our society.
From treating institutionalized adults to the mainstream individual, the field has moved forward, with the development of many theories and evidence-based research on the effectiveness of treatment modalities. There is a common thread among the many treatment methods which highlights the foundation of this design; listening, assessing, observing, being empathic and Planning.

** Listening – Therapist’s are engaged in active listening, even through the silences and will refrain from excessive talking. Although, this is uncomfortable for many in the beginning, it brings out a greater understanding of the problem and how it feels.
** Assessing – Therapist’s and individuals are encouraged to assess in every session and helps to determine the root cause and onset of one’s problems.
** Observing – Therapists’ are constantly involved in recognizing client’s non-verbal and verbal communication. This provides mirroring process which also serves to help clients observe and pay attention to their reactive and non-reactive behaviors.
** Being Empathic – Therapist’s show a level of caring and listening while maintaining objectivity and non-judgmental environment for clients to feel comfortable in expressing their concerns.
** Planning – All Therapist’s actively formulate a treatment plan which is best suited to help their clients based on their theoretical orientation.

Today there are many effective treatments which help individuals with all types of illnesses despite their severity. It is the professional that will assess functioning and diagnose and guide the individual through a course of treatment which incorporates these basic principles. The field of Psychology has evolved in the last century, and precipitated the growth and awareness of its benefits. The rearview mirror had magnified its worth, and attempted to recompense us by bring it forward. This metaphor serves to provide a very brief outlook of where the profession is today and to reduce the anxiety associated with seeking help.

Psychotherapy, self-examination, individual awareness, and anxiety, 
can be few of the comfortable topics obtained during your treatment with your licensed professional.