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Dr. Rachel Howard
Los Angeles Psychologist
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Counseling Approach
I take a pragmatic approach to therapy. I take some of the best
psychological theories - object relations theory, family systems
theory, Gestalt and analytic theory - and combining these with the
newer, innovative, and well-researched treatment modalities, such as
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and SE (Somatic
Experiencing). My aim is to promote accelerated growth within as short a
time-frame. This is sometimes referred to as an integrative approach.
Therapy can be a mysterious and confusing experience. For some people,
therapy works well and they are completely satisfied with the outcome.
However, many people don’t fully understand the inner workings of
therapy; how it is supposed to work, what is supposed to happen and
how to accelerate the growth process. Subsequently, a lot of people
report that they feel as if they are wasting a lot of time and money
in therapy simply talking about their problems. Frequently the
immediate problems abate, but the deeper patterns do not get fully
resolved. Such patterns cause frustration and pain by
repeating in one form or another, in personal, professional and
romantic/intimate areas of life. My integrative approach, including
powerful tools such as EMDR and SE, tends to be more effective in fully
resolving these repeating patterns, yielding life altering changes in
people’s lives.
Because I have great respect for people’s time and money, I closely
collaborate in the therapy process as a partnership. I do this by
educating and sharing the underlying principles of the techniques
being used. This helps to have both of us on the same page going in
the same direction; the direction of creating measurable growth and
meaningful changes quickly.
Object Relations Theory
Object Relations theory is a very empowering, clarifying psychological
theory. Using this theory, one can really begin to make sense of the
patterns, and break them, so that past relationship patterns and
mistakes aren’t revisited in current relationships. This approach
applies to essentially every type of relationship we experience,
including intimate relationships with
spouses, relationships with our children, friendships, or daily interactions with
strangers or acquaintances.
Object Relations explains how our childhood relationships eventually
affect our present relationships. Have you ever been in a relationship
with someone who was once the most wonderful person in the world, and
suddenly they seem to turn into your father, mother, sibling,
ex-wife/husband, boyfriend/girlfriend? Or perhaps you find yourself in a work or
group situation where your boss suddenly seems to take on the
personality of your father, or mother or sibling? Object Relations
theory helps us to understand these experiences, and EMDR helps to see
these experiences from a more mature, adult perspective, which frees us
to make wise and conscious choices unclouded by unhealthy past
relationships or traumas.
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