 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
  |
|
|
Therapists:
I have been a practicing clinician since 1978, working with children, adolescents, families, couples and adults. What makes the practice of psychotherapy so fascinating is how it incorporates such a rich tapestry of three important dimensions: affect, cognitions, and behavior. My work focuses on the interplay of these three dimensions of therapy. My therapeutic approach emphasizes understanding the early origins of a problem as well as helping the person consider other ways of thinking about or constructively dealing with problems. My therapeutic style borrows from several traditions, including, psychodynamic thinking, interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioral, systems theory, and relaxation and mindfulness. As such, my personal style weaves these approaches along with a sensitive, empathic and optimistic viewpoint in addressing emotional and behavioral difficulties. By creating a safe therapeutic environment for a patient, new possibilities can emerge as one learns to manage and overcome troublesome emotional issues. The children I see frequently present with behavioral problems or mood related issues (depression or anxiety). In addressing these concerns I also focus on how these problems impact the family’s functioning. Adolescent treatment also focuses on behavioral issues as well as depression and anxiety related disorders. Frequently, there are related issues of family and peer relationship difficulties, along with academic and social functioning concerns. Much of my practice is with adults of all ages. Depression and anxiety are frequent presenting issues for many, along with various relationship problems. My knowledge of child development assists in understanding how one’s past can affect the present. In addition, I frequently will focus on offering practical suggestions in addressing a patient’s mood disorder. Thus, learning how to disengage from negative thinking or learning how to manage anxiety reactions can be most helpful. It is also important for the patient to learn about the interpersonal dynamics of his or her problems. In addition, there are those who need basic skills in managing powerful emotions, and for this I draw on mindfulness meditation and my experience with DBT shills. Furthermore, I also am experienced with hypnosis and use it for specialized problems. Couples therapy is one of my main clinical interests. My work helps couples understand themselves and their patterns of behavior, thereby gaining new perspectives on a problem while learning alternative ways of dealing with the complexities of maintaining and sustaining relationships. Group therapy is another clinical interest. Its unique focus effectively helps in dealing with relational problems. The group process helps patients see and understand patterns of behavior and thinking which contribute to participants' ongoing difficulties. The group then becomes a laboratory to learn alternative and more successful ways of relating to others. Group therapy can be either time-limited or long-term. Short-term groups focus on a particular issue, such as divorce and separation or parenting ADHD children. These groups are supportive, informative, and help participants mobilize resources and coping skills to address their problems. Long-term groups give the individual an opportunity to more deeply focus on understanding interpersonal issues which are often chronic and leave the person feeling dissatisfied with his/her life. Individuals with longstanding relationship issues or personality issues can find this type of group to be most beneficial. I graduated from Smith College School for Social Work in 1978. After completing a two-year internship, I worked on one of the first Sexual Abuse treatment teams in the state at Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, where I was a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry. Since then I have worked in solo and group practices in Massachusetts and Nashua, New Hampshire. In 1993 I completed a three-year intensive group therapy training program at the Northeast Society for Group Psychotherapy. I am a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Group Psychotherapist. I have extensive experience in presenting to both professional and lay populations on a variety of topics. If you want to meet another therapist click here. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Needham Psychotherapy
Associates |
||||||||||||||||||||
Michael
J. Doran, MSW, LICSW, CGP