Individual Psychotherapy for Adults

A lighthouse with a gradient sunset behind it and the ocean in front of it

People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.

–Eleanor Roosevelt .

Areas of Clinical Focus Include

Anxiety
Assertiveness
Depression
Conflict Management
Decision-making
Grief/Loss
Family Dysfunction

Relationship Issues (home or work)
Stress Management
Life Transitions
Effective Communication
Coping Skills
Improve Esteem and Confidence
Women’s Issues/Women in Transition

My Approach

My therapeutic approach is collaborative and active.  We will work together to formulate a personalized plan for treatment based upon your goals.  I provide a respectful, safe, and supportive environment for change informed by years of professional experience as well as scientific research.

I will assist you in constructing practical solutions to current concerns, with a recognition of how past relationships and experiences affect the present.  My goal is to support you in identifying and utilizing your strengths, considering new perspectives and possibilities, achieving your personal goals and behavior change, facilitating your emotional expression and healing, and promoting physical and emotional health, well-being, and personal growth.

My theoretical orientation blends cognitive-behavioral therapy with family systems theory, grief/loss counseling, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral treatments for anxiety and depression.  I am sensitive to issues of cultural and individual differences.

What to Expect

Your first visit will last up to 60 minutes and will be an opportunity for us to get to know one another to determine if the therapeutic relationship will be a good fit for you.  I begin with a thorough assessment, gathering a relevant history about yourself, symptoms, and the current problems.  You can prepare  by being ready to discuss what issues bring you to therapy, what symptoms you are having and specific information (such as medications and dosages) that might be useful. Also be ready to ask any questions you may have for me. Together, we will then develop a plan of treatment and a frequency for meeting.  Frequency of visits will vary depending on your budget and availability as well as the complexity of your goals, severity and intensity of your distress, and your ability to cope well in between visits. Subsequent visits are 45-50 minutes. At each visit I will check on any “homework” or items I suggest you work on from our last visit as well as what agenda items are on your mind for use of your time at that visit.  I may also have agenda for consideration as related to your goals.  Together we will then decide priorities for use of your time at that appointment. Periodically we will be discussing your progress toward your goals and if our time together is useful, effective, and meeting your needs.  If at any time, this is not the case, you will be encouraged to talk with me about it.

Insurance

Check with your insurance company to determine if you must see a provider listed within your plan to qualify for reimbursement or if you are permitted to see any licensed provider.You will also want to check with your insurance company to determine your specific mental health benefits coverage.

Health insurance benefits generally cover/reimburse for the treatment of “medically necessary” conditions.  Such conditions involve diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.  Not all diagnoses of mental disorder conditions will be covered.  You will need to check with your insurance plan regarding the specifics of your mental health coverage.  Some conditions and/or treatment modalities may not be covered.

I cannot guarantee coverage by your insurance company for my services.

I am out of network with all insurance companies.

If you want to use your insurance coverage, you pay me directly at the time of the service. Upon request, I am happy to provide you with a billing form that includes all of the necessary information for you to send to your insurance carrier. You then can seek reimbursement directly from your insurance if you like. This also applies for any secondary insurance coverage you may have.

I conduct both long and short term therapies. Many clients find that their goals and needs are met in a time frame of 12-20 visits.  Shorter term therapies can be completed in a matter of two or three months and longer term therapies can range from 6 to 18 months or longer.  The length of treatment will depend in part upon the complexity and number of problems as well as severity of symptoms presented.  In addition, solely focusing on symptom relief can be a shorter process than focusing on more deeply rooted personal and interpersonal changes.  I often will begin by seeing someone on a weekly basis to build a relationship and some momentum for change. This also facilitates more responsiveness to treatment for symptom relief.  As your situation stabilizes and you experience some symptoms relief and learn some skills, we can begin to meet less frequently.  It is not uncommon to meet less frequently, but maintain sessions to solidify and maintain changes.

No, but I can make an appropriate referral to a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or to your primary care physician for a medication consultation.  With your permission, I can then work with your prescriber to coordinate psychotherapy with medication management.

A psychiatrist is trained as a medical doctor (M.D.) with special training in prescribing medications to help with psychiatric disorders and mental illness, such as anxiety or depression.  A psychiatrist will receive some training in talk therapy as well.  A psychologist receives a doctor of philosophy or doctor of psychology degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.).  These are typically 5 year programs which focus on research, therapy skills and psychological testing.  Therapy training includes a one year long internship of full time clinical training to complete the degree.  Further hours of supervised residency clinical training are also required to complete state licensure.  A social worker completes a social work degree (MSW) in 2-3 years time with a focus on counseling and case management skills.  A social worker also will complete further supervised clinical practice for licensure (LCSW).  A counselor usually completes a master’s degree, two year program in counseling skills and supervision of clinical training for licensure.  Social work and counseling degrees do not include training in psychological testing and are also not licensed to prescribe medicine. Counselors also are not trained and licensed to diagnose psychiatric conditions.

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I invite you to Contact Me for more information or to schedule an initial consultation.
(503) 629-0272
lisa@gabardi.com
14523 Westlake Drive, #16
Lake Oswego, OR 97035