Lee Affrunti PhD

Our first session together will generally be a “get to know you” session in which I will gather information about you and the circumstances that bring you to therapy. We will also explore what is important to you, the fundamental building blocks of living an engaged and fulfilling life. Throughout our time together, you will learn the tools you need to deal more effectively with painful thoughts and feelings so they will have less of an impact and influence over you, allowing you to make positive changes consistent with what matters to you. Our subsequent sessions will also focus on your being heard so that, in discovering what is working or not working for you, we can tweak the tools to maximize their effectiveness.

Using principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), our work together will enhance your ability to accept what is out of your control and commit to taking effective action aimed at improving the quality of your life. ACT’s goal is to help you create a rich and meaningful life while effectively handling the stress, pain, and suffering that goes along with it. ACT achieves this goal by reducing the negative impact of painful thoughts and feelings and by helping you clarify what matters most to you (your values). ACT then uses that knowledge to guide, inspire, and motivate you toward making positive changes in your life. I also incorporate elements of cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, systems-based, and solution-oriented approaches as are useful depending on your unique situation.

• Illinois, PhD, PY10454