can pastoral psychotherapy help me?

Maybe you're going through a tough time. Work or family responsibilities feel like too much. You’re struggling with a relationship. Or you wish you felt more confident. If it's important to you to include your particular spirituality, values, or religious beliefs in your healing and growth process, and to speak to a therapist who responds to these in a respectful and informed way, then pastoral psychotherapy may be for you. If you are...

overwhelmed or frustrated. Suffering from the blues, tearful, or sleeping a lot…unhappy or alone…feeling empty…coping with family illness or with the loss of a loved one…dealing with the legacy of emotional, physical or sexual abuse…having trouble with anger...in recovery from addiction…

having relationship problems. Lonely…stuck in empty relationships…attracted to people other than your partner…recovering from your partner’s infidelity…dreading holidays and other family gatherings…in search of non-judgmental help and support for your sexual orientation...stressed out by the demands of childrearing…

going through a transition. Struggling with the transition to parenthood or the empty nest…going through a separation or divorce…yearning for more from life than professional success… an artist, writer, or performer seeking to move past a block, or make a transition…a member of the helping professions or the clergy seeking support…

then I can help you discover options, strength and wisdom for the road ahead. As a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, I am committed to helping people of all faiths and no faith draw on their spiritual values and insights in the process of growth.

Worn down,

hemmed in,

stressed out?

Longing for something more?

Pastoral psychotherapy and couples counseling can help.

Call 914-941-6478 or 212-802-7333 or

email jean@pastoralcounseling.net

to ask a question about counseling or arrange an appointment.

People who choose pastoral psychotherapy often say that knowing the therapist respects their faith journey and is trained to help with the questions of meaning that often arise at turning-points in life is very important to them. Body, mind and spirit are all understood as aspects of the whole person. Pastoral psychotherapy becomes an extension of the care of the soul that they find in their congregation, while offering a confidential place apart where they can speak freely and find ongoing one-on-one support.

What happens when you contact Jean Fitzpatrick for a consultation...

Once you call or email, we will set up a time for an individual or couple consultation, at no charge. That will give you the opportunity to tell me about your present situation and to ask questions. If I believe that my training and experience permit me to be helpful to you and if you decide you would like to begin therapy, we will set up a regular appointment. You may find that talking about personal things can be difficult at first, but we will work together to find a way to help you feel comfortable so that that our meeting regularly can be helpful.

Sessions typically last between 45 minutes to 1 hour, one or more times per week. Your health insurance company may offer you partial reimbursement.

In November 1995, Consumer Reports conducted a landmark study examining this question. Of the 4,000 therapy clients who responded, nearly 90% reported that they were managing life better after getting help. Those who reported the most discomfort and upset at the beginning of treatment reported the most improvement from psychotherapy. Some of those surveyed were treated through both psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants, etc., while others were treated through "talk" therapy alone.

In these times it's interesting to note that those who had psychotherapy alone reported just as much improvement as the medication-only group, and that those who received only psychotherapy improved as much as those who got therapy plus drugs. Clients who were actively engaged in the process had better results than those who were passive. In addition, this study found that therapy that lasted more than six months was significantly more effective than shorter-term therapies. Clients whose treatments were limited by insurance company policies had worse outcomes than those who did not have such limitations.

Over the past century therapists have documented how in the course of their work people have found long-term relief from pain and suffering, developed more satisfying relationships, and improved their quality of life and capacity to contribute to society. The only way to find out whether therapy will work for you is to recognize that it takes a commitment of time and reflection, to approach it with an open mind and to decide for yourself.