Susan Hickman PsyD

We’ll establish 3-5 specific goals you want to achieve. We'll assess what strengths you bring to the table for reaching your goals as well as what hinders you. It will be important to uncover the beliefs you have about yourself related to your goals, where these beliefs originated, and the dominant emotions associated with them. Understanding the origin of “misperceptions” you hold about yourself empowers you to shift toward perceptions more aligned with truth that is supportive rather than destructive. Fortunately, this shift also makes bleeding off negative emotions far easier. We’ll then decide what skills you're lacking and design appropriate homework exercises. Of course, our sessions will problem-solve roadblocks along the way and you'll have tons of support and compassion to boot!

In terms of treatment methods, I would say that I am heavy on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) simply because it is such a well-researched and proven effective form of therapy. I also utilize DBT skills for help to manage emotions. In my person-to-person interactions, I would say I utilize a client-centered approach in that any "agenda" (even though positive) I might have is irrelevant in the sense that I believe clients are intuitive and know what they need, albeit at a subconscious level at times. I have the deepest regard for clients' ability to identify their own sacred journey as I come alongside to be a helper and guide, perhaps even to help them uncover it if needed. Nonetheless, any therapeutic goal worth pursuing originates from within the client, not the therapist.

• Tennessee, PsyD, 2807