Deborah Heim

In our current society, I think there is such an emphasis on busying ourselves, with productivity being the measure of our identity. People are getting burnt out and depression and anxiety can result, as well as many other disorders. We strive to fix it ourselves, and very typically there is an unconscious negative message about what it means if we ask for help. Very commonly I hear that it means"I am weak". I tell my clients that I believe that there is nothing further from the truth, that it takes a very strong person to admit that they need help, and to take the step to seek counseling!

I believe it is so important to be open and direct with my clients from the very beginning. I explain that the primary emphasis in the first session is to do an evaluation, where I will be gathering information, and putting the information together to formulate a plan for treatment. It is also a time where I might be setting some short term goals and making some recommendations. Lastly, and most importantly, I make sure that I emphasize that the person who is coming to me in that initial session should be "interviewing" me as much as I am "interviewing" them. I emphasize that there should be some kind of professional connection that starts in that very first session, in order for change to take place. I always ask my clients at the end of the initial session, "how do they feel about this so far"? I feel that it is so important from the very beginning to balance the role of being supportive, but educating a person with new skills and awareness.

I treat the individual holistically, integrating the mind/body/spirit through behavioral methods and techniques. Although I believe that the therapeutic environment needs to feel safe and supportive, I also combine this with giving one new skills that can allow a person to be more self-aware and hence make new choices. This can allow a person to reprogram old beliefs that they were unaware of, and create new healthier messages in the present. As a result, this can allow for more positive feelings and behavior.

I've worked in all levels of addiction treatment, in hospitals, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient programs and community mental health.  I went into private practice in 1992, and then went on to develop 2 of my own private practices afterwards.