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WHO WE WORK WITH
We work with individual adults and couples. We also specialize in working with executives and professionals needing collaboration to enhance effectiveness with colleagues, staff, patients and clients.
All consultations and psychological services are carried out in a thoughtful, confidential and ethical environment.
Both Dr. Deborah and Dr. Stuart Kirschbaum are California licensed psychologists with 30+ years of experience. Additionally, Dr. Deborah Kirschbaum has a doctorate in psychoanalysis and is a certified psychoanalyst.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR FIRST SESSION
Your first session will be devoted to a sensitive and confidential discussion of your concerns. Towards the end of the session, we will find an appointment time if we agree that we are a good fit. We will discuss the signed informed consent, making sure to answer any questions about the cancellation policy as well as your privacy rights. We will also work out payment procedures.
ABOUT PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOANALYSIS
Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis allow for an in-depth look at recurring dysfunctional patterns that affect relationships, professional success, and contentment in life.
People often come to psychotherapy to relieve pain from sources such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or substance abuse. They may be struggling in their relationships. Some people are interested in psychotherapy primarily for personal growth: to learn about themselves, to improve their relationships, or to progress further in their occupations using their more creative capacities.
In brief, individual psychotherapy succeeds in addressing these problems insofar as it increases awareness of the self and others, becoming who we are really meant to be.
How does this process of discovery relieve emotional suffering or interpersonal conflict? Such problems often result from distorted images of self and other. A large part of our human subjectivity consists of unconscious dramas — internal “scripts” that can become distorted as a result of traumatic experiences. These personal dramas are also affected by cultural, sociological, and biological factors. Competent psychotherapy fosters an in-depth exploration to elucidate these images of self and other with the ultimate aim of bringing about helpful emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal transformation.
Please visit our website at www.drkirschbaum.com for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
Short Term (Solution-focused, etc.)
Ideal for those who are coming in with a specific problem they’d like to address and gain clarity on. Typically, short term therapies are present focused and do not dive deep into your past.
Structured
Structured therapies are goal and progress oriented. Therapists may incorporate psychoeducation and a specific “curriculum.” In order to stay on track, therapists may provide worksheets and homework.
Insight-oriented (Psychodynamic, Existential, etc.)
Exploring the past and making connections to present issues can help clients gain insight. Getting to the root of the issue and finding deeper self-awareness can help with long-term change.
Non-directive (Humanistic, Person-centered, etc.)
Going with the flow and seeing where it leads.
Behavioral (CBT, DBT, etc.)
Focuses on changing potentially unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors by addressing problematic thought patterns and specific providing coping skills.
Trauma Focused (EMDR, TF-CBT, etc.)
Recognizing the connection between trauma experiences and your emotional and behavioral responses, trauma focused therapy seeks to help you heal from traumas.
