Dr Judy Chamberlin LCSW PsyD lcS 26665 
   COUNSELING INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES

     

I am here to accompany and support you as you explore, discover, and find the courage to face your troubles. I believe we become who we are through our interactions with others; for that reason, I specialize in relationships, helping them heal, grow, and thrive.  The confidence and security that is fostered by healthy relationships, strengthens the capacity to overcome feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger and loneliness and paves the way to greater happiness and a sense of well-being.

—Judy Chamberlin

Whether you are in individual, couples or family therapy, we begin by identifying the problem and establishing goals. As you move through the process, the focus of the therapy may change over time and new goals will develop. Therapy is not about receiving advice but rather it is a process of exploring and uncovering aspects of your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Through greater awareness and understanding, you can begin to formulate and develop healthier ways of being.

It is so important that the therapeutic relationship is a good fit. Notice whether you are feeling understood and experiencing a sense of confidence in your therapist. There should also be a feeling of  positive regard and empathy that develops early on in the relationship.  I have a very interactive style of working with clients and a key component of my work is the unique relationship that develops with each person I see. There is no set formula for counseling but rather the therapy process is organically co-created based on my training as a therapist and what works best for you to achieve the desired results.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY 

Individual therapy may be short term or long term depending on your needs and goals. Problem solving for situational issues tends to take less time. However, often times there are deeper underlying issues and destructive patterns that are influencing us in our daily lives. You may decide that you are interested in pursuing a deeper level of internal change. In that case, it may call for a longer course of therapy. Individual therapy is an intimate process. The privacy that is vital to the process allows you to reveal feelings and thoughts that you may never before have  been able to talk about. It may be the first time you’ve been able to share troubling thoughts without the need to censor yourself. This can be a very liberating and sometimes distressing process. It is important to hang in there when difficult emotions arise so that you can get to the other side and enjoy the benefits of your efforts...  (Click here to read more)

 

RELATIONSHIP (COUPLES) THERAPY

Families often find themselves in need of help. There are different ways to approach family therapy depending on your family's situation. I work with all members of the family together, separately and/or work with the parents independently. My preference is to begin with the parents, providing guidance and education. This provides an opportunity to create a more lasting change. When possible, I counsel and coach parents through the process of meeting their family’s needs more directly. Parents bring their own issues and histories. Children look to their parents for cues about what to expect and how to behave... (Click here to read more) 

COACHING

There are some similarities between coaching and psychotherapy. The primary difference is in the focus and techniques of the work. Coaching tends to be more directive and task oriented. Coaching usually involves homework. Sometimes a coaching relationship will transition into psychotherapy, when problems that come up are part of a deeper internal pattern. 

Coaching can help with:

Decision making

Life changes

Career choices

Planning

Creativity

Prioritizing

Motivation

Planning

Weight loss

Healthy living

Creating Balance

Improving self care


 
MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

I use mindfulness exercises as a resource to assist my clients in stabilizing mood. Mindfulness is similar to meditation. It involves getting into a focused state of mind, becoming very present and tuned-in to your senses and your thoughts and feelings.  Often it begins with focusing on the breath. There are different types of mindfulness exercises and I tailor them to the unique needs of each client.

Many people have difficulty regulating their emotions. When dysregulation prevents them from functioning well in their lives, it is useful to develop some tools that can reduce the distress and intensity of difficult emotions.  Often times clients are able to transfer the mindfulness skills we practice together in the office to the current life situations that have been causing problems for them. Ideally, a mindfulness practice helps reduce the impact of anxiety, anger, fear, resentment, depression, and other difficult emotions. With greater stability, it becomes easier to cope with the realities of life.