New York, NY 10038
The Mind/Body Connection
ABOUT THERAPY - Psychologist Practicing Psychotherapy in New York City
Find out what goes on in therapy, the phases of therapy, and about my practice.
There are different methods for different problems and for different individuals in psychotherapy. There is not just one way of doing things. Some of the strategies that are especially useful are: open and candid discussion, development of self-understanding, planning strategies to use rewards and penalties in reference to behavioral goals. Very important are relaxation techniques and hypnosis, imagery, role-playing, cognitive restructuring of irrational and maladaptive beliefs, reprocessing past traumatic experiences, and healing past or current experiences that may involve important others in your life. Often people, such as a spouse or partner, who are distressed or affected by you and your problems, ought to be involved on some level as well. This should be discussed early in treatment.
My theoretical approach is based on an integration of Psychodynamic, Object Relations, and Cognitive/Behavioral Therapies.
The cognitive model states that our emotions and behaviors are influenced by our perceptions of events. In other words, it is not the situation in and of itself that determines what we feel, but rather the way in which we see a situation or the meaning we give it through our beliefs. For example, if I hear a sound in the kitchen and I believe it to be a family member, I am not bothered by that at all. But, if I believe I am alone in the house, the same sound may bother me a great deal. Here we see that feelings and behaviors (my actions about the sound) flow from the active process of thinking about and/or adding meaning to the actual event (the sound).
Our beliefs significantly affect the meaning that we ascribe to events and these beliefs often began in childhood where we develop core beliefs about ourselves (as worthy or not), others (as trustworthy or not), and the world around us (as safe or not). Some of these beliefs become fundamental -- so much a part of our core -- that we do not question them and assume them to be valid. These childhood or earlier beliefs can be irrational, out of place, and dysfunctional (self-defeating/inappropriate) in our adult life. It is as if we perceive our adult world through our eyes as a child.
Various traumatic or upsetting events during our childhood can become "locked" into our minds, resulting in "distorted lenses" through which we perceive ourselves and our world. These beliefs can often be triggered by internalized objects that have not been assimilated. Such distorted beliefs are destructive to our welfare, interfering with our ability to function appropriately and adaptively, blocking our creativity and generally inhibiting our means of achieving our potential. Such distortions and blocks need to be reprocessed so that we are free to feeling good about ourselves and to be our best adult selves. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Development Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) are very effective ways of dealing with these problems.
PHASES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY (back to top)
There are generally six phases of therapy.
1) Initial Evaluation Phase - when we gather as much information about you and your issues to have a comprehensive picture of what is going on. This is a time when we both learn a lot about you and a time when you really get to be heard.
2) Educational Phase - the purpose of this phase of treatment is to redefine your difficulties into terms that make them amenable to being changed and resolved. During this time you may receive "little lectures" or be given information that I feel will be of value to you in resolving your issues.
3) Phase for Learning Coping Skills - During your sessions, we will identify and discuss self-defeating patterns of behaving, thinking, and feeling and come up with more adaptive alternatives. Strategies for dealing with adversity and managing stress, reducing depression and anxiety will be developed, as will ways of overcoming procrastination, improving self-confidence, and relating to people in a more rewarding way. Various techniques to help you moderate stress, anxiety, pain, or reprocessing traumatic experiences when necessary, can be used.
4) Phase for Practicing Coping Skills - Once we have targeted your major concerns and problems and you've learned new coping skills and problem solving strategies, you will be ready to begin applying what you've learned to the different circumstances in your life. The goals of this phase is to improve the overall quality of your life by making constructive changes in the way you handle old and new problems.
5) Phase for Reviewing and Termination of Therapy - The last few sessions of your therapy will be devoted to reviewing the progress you've made and preparing for ending your regular course of therapy and the preparation for using all your newly learned skills on your own.
6) Periodic "Booster" Sessions - From time to time after your regular course of therapy has ended, we might want to schedule "booster sessions" or a "psychological tune-up". In these sessions, we will discuss your progress; review how well you are maintaining your therapy gains; and review areas that might have gotten "stale" with disuse, that you are unsure of, or that you had difficulty with. These booster sessions can provide an opportunity to review and practice coping skills, to learn new ones, or to discuss other therapeutic needs.
ABOUT MY THERAPY PRACTICE in New York City (back to top)
What I regard as most important and privileged in therapy is the therapeutic relationship itself. Establishing an open, trusting and accepting relationship is critical, as healing takes place through that relationship. We become whole through relationships, and I strive to create this healing atmosphere in my practice.
My practice is located in the Union Square area of New York City (see Contact Me).
CONFIDENTIALITY:
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Great care is taken to protect your privacy. It is your right that our sessions and my records about you are kept confidential. In general, I will tell no one what you tell me. I will not even reveal that you are receiving treatment from me. In specific situations, if applicable, I would ask you to sign a release form before sharing any such information with your insurance company, other doctors, or other relevant parties.
In all but a few rare situations, your confidentiality (that is, your privacy) is protected by state law (HIPPA) and by the rules of my profession. Here are the most common cases in which confidentiality is NOT protected:
1. If you were sent to me by a court for evaluation or treatment, the court expects a report from me. If this is your situation, please talk with me before you tell me anything you do not want the court to know. You have a right to tell me only what you are comfortable with telling.
2. Are you suing someone or being sued? Are you being charged with a crime? If so, and you tell the court that you are seeing me, I may then be ordered to show the court my records. Please consult your lawyer about these issues.
3. If you make a serious threat to harm yourself or another person, the law requires me to try to protect you or that other person. This usually means telling others about the threat. I cannot promise never to tell others about threats you make.
4. If I believe a child has been or will be abused or neglected, I am legally required to report this to the authorities.
MY HOURS FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY IN NEW YORK CITY:
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I am in the office Monday through Friday, usually from 1:30pm to 8:30pm. I generally consult to businesses during the mornings.
Sessions are by appointment only.
CONTACTING ME:
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I do not take phone calls when I am with a patient or coaching client. A message can be left on my voice mail and I will return the call as soon as possible. Please note -- the fastest way of reaching me is through email on my Blackberry (drconniekaplan@copingskillsdevelopment.com).
I can usually return calls within 24 hours except for weekends and holidays. Again, email is fastest.
If for some unlikely reason I cannot be reached, in case of an emergency, you should call your medical doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.
I do accept email for administrative requests and updates. I also encourage journaling via email regarding issues to be discussed in depth during a therapy session. Other emails, requiring in-depth review and response, will be billed as either half-hour or full-hour session depending on time needed.
Call regarding accepted insurance plans and fees. Yes, I do accept credit cards (except American Express).
CONTACT ME - Licensed Psychologist Practicing Therapy in New York City
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Dr Connie L Kaplan, Psy.D
111 John St ste#2400
New York, NY 10038
212 477-6232 (f) 212 477-4077
drconniekaplan@copingskillsdevelopment.com
