Patricia A McKenna

Clients often come to therapy with confusion, frustration, or shame about why they are experiencing the symptoms or problems that distress them. A very important part of psychotherapy is becoming more curious about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that initially may seem to make no sense and have no useful purpose. When we come to appreciate that even distressing or self-destructive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors have important things to tell us, we can begin to experience empathy for ourselves, make sense of our distress, and turn toward making desired changes. When I sit down with a client I am focused on listening and letting my client guide me through the story of their distress. This story may unfold over a brief or long period of time. My job is to offer help in the telling of that story through questions and observations that encourage them to reflect on themselves in a new way, bringing about change. I strive to offer a stable, reliable presence both in terms of scheduling as well as in the nature of my presence. I believe a therapist needs to be trustworthy, nonjudgmental, and professional. I take seriously my ethical duty to examine my own implicit biases and refrain from bringing personal preferences and needs to bear on a client’s therapy.