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 Dr. Ron Rice (248) 626-2056 |
The problems listed here are certainly not exhaustive. However they would represent the most common problems presented to me over the last 25 years in clinical practice. It should be noted that it is not uncommon that after a careful analysis an individual will have more than one issue or problem that needs to be addressed. Please refer to Humanistic Psychotherapy to get a better idea of how I view the counseling process. Most problems involve some degree of social learning. For example, a person with low self esteem was certainly not born that way. They had to learn how to have low self esteem. The same can apply to virtually all problems whether they involve depression, anxiety, marital problems, worry, etc. Since this is the case, I believe that psychotherapy needs to be based on a cognitive behavioral approach. Therefore I feel strongly that clients must learn to challenge the negative messages from the past, reframe their thinking and behavior to overcome any personal problem. I ask clients to engage in new behaviors and often give "homework assignments". In either case individuals respond extremely well to these strategies and can expect to see significant progress within just a few weeks.
My approach to helping individuals suffering from any of the problems listed and beyond, is extremely focused. First it is important to have a real sense of the problem and the cause of the problem assessed from interview data. Second, psychotherapy must be goal oriented, i.e. What does a person want to accomplish specifically in terms of therapy? Third the progress toward meeting particular goals must be measurable. For example, if a client reports that after several weeks, that he/she "feels better", I will often ask, "How did that happen"? In other words, progress can only be made if an individual changes their thinking and/or their behavior. I often remind clients that if they had a "good day" it was because they made it so. If they had a bad day, it was because they made it so. This is not to diminish the reality that there are real stressors in our lives. However it is our response to stress that determines whether we create a positive perspective or a negative one. Taking responsibility for change creates a sense of empowerment and this always leads to further therapeutic progress. The client learns that he/she is ultimately responsible for their life and their happiness. Being proactive is one of the most important strategies in helping individuals reach their goals.
No matter what problem you are suffering from now, take action. You will be glad you did. You have within yourself the resources to overcome and cope more effectively with any challenge. Together we can discover real solutions to real problems.
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Ron Rice, PHD • Licensed Psychologist • (248) 626-2056 • 32910 W. 13 Mile Road, Suite D-402 • Farmington Hills, MI 48334-1980