What is counseling brief therapy?

What is Brief Therapy, or Counseling?

It's called "brief" because it's narrowly focused. And, it is best suited to certain circumstances:

A Recent Upsetting Event: Brief Therapy can be very helpful if you have recently experienced an upsetting event, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or a recent relationship break-up. When your life is in upheaval, talking things over with a "neutral" person can give you new perspective, assist with difficult feelings, and help you "get back on your feet."

Anxiety and Depression: Many symptoms of anxiety or depression can be alleviated with brief therapy. If you have acute symptoms (recent or more intense than usual) there are many techniques, strategies and "tools" you can learn, within a relatively brief period of time, to help you cope better and manage your symptoms so that you can get on with life.

What is Depth Psychotherapy?

Depth psychotherapy is available for more profound change. It goes beyond helping you cope with symptoms, and aims for longer lasting and wider ranging benefits, so that you can experience more satisfaction in life. The focus is on difficulties that have existed for a long time, such as patterns of emotions and behavior that repeatedly cause problems in your personal or work relationships and affect the quality of your life.

Among other things, depth therapy addresses difficulties arising from trauma or difficult childhood experiences and family relationships that have had a lasting impact on the person you have become. Depth psychotherapy can occur in either individual or group psychotherapy.

Which is for You?

It is often difficult to know which is right for you until counseling/therapy gets underway, you have had a chance to learn how it works, and you and I have had a chance to assess what might be possible to accomplish in your case. I use aspects of both ways of working from the beginning. As time passes, the work we will do all depends on you, your needs, you goals and preferences, and what you choose to do about them.

Barbara Elbl, MFT, CEAP, CGP

Marriage and Family Therapist Ca Lic #33788

Certified Employee Assistance Provider (EACC #028021)

Certified Group Psychotherapist (AGPA)

EMDR practitioner

Substance Abuse Professional

4333 California Street

San Francisco, CA 94118

415-681-1757