Cognitive Behavior Therapist in Philadelphia, the Main Line, and across Psypact-eligible states.
About Kim
I offer therapy that is Compassionate, Collaborative, and Constructive.
Manage your emotions more effectively and life’s challenges more successfully.
Together we will identify and resolve your problems so you can feel more balanced and thrive.
Problems come in many forms and in varying degrees of severity, from daily hassles to major life events. Likewise, the reasons people seek therapy also vary greatly. You may be new to therapy after having tried self-help books and listening to podcasts. You may have been in therapy in the past and wish for a new perspective. Perhaps you are facing new challenges.
Whatever your reason for starting therapy, I am here to meet you where you are.
I know it takes courage and a leap of faith to begin therapy, because ultimately, therapy is about stepping outside of your comfort zone. I get that! And yet, it is here in this space where the transformation takes place. Through CBT I will be here to listen to you, to set goals with you, and to help you address those objectives in direct and pragmatic ways. The aim? For you to incorporate new insights, tools and techniques into your everyday life so that you feel better emotionally and are the best version of you. Ultimately? To “graduate” from therapy.
I love what I do!
I am here to support you and guide you, to be your advocate and your teammate.
I believe that the relationship we build through our work together is crucial to achieving results. I maintain solid boundaries and we talk a lot about you because your time is valuable and we are here for you. I am also personable and relatable. Clients have described me as easy to talk to, nonjudgemental, straightforward, insightful, and solution focused.
Therapy should be productive.
Ultimately, my goal for you is to leave every session having gained something new. Sometimes it will be venting (but only a bit). Other times you will learn a new behavioral, cognitive, or communication technique to try out at home or at work. We will also shed some light onto your mental health or problematic situation.
I want you to know that whatever brought you to therapy, we will work together to achieve the results you are seeking.
Therapy with me is -
Active
Tailored and individualized
Goal-oriented
Collaborative
Problem-Solving
Supported by research
Therapy with me is not-
Passive
General and impersonal
Aimless and chatty
Complaisant listening
Advice-giving
Based on unproven methods
As a therapist, I value …
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I am here to listen. I enjoy learning about you and I care about what you are going through.
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We work as a team. An important component of therapy is what you bring to the table. You are the expert on you, and I bring my knowledge, training and experience to help you learn, grow, overcome your life challenges and ultimately, feel better and more like yourself and the person you wish to be.
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Therapy is not just talking and venting. Rather, we develop goals for therapy and make sure that we stay on topic and work toward reaching those goals. In addition to what we work on in therapy, I often provide small assignments for in-between sessions. Trying out new ways of thinking, communicating or handling your stress is the only way we know what works for you.
A Brief Overview of CBT
The theoretical framework from which I work is termed Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT is backed by research which, in simple terms, means that it has been proven effective in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. The basic premise of CBT is that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all inter-related.
CBT includes:
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I will share information with you regarding mental health, the mind-body connection, and about how CBT works. Through knowledge and awareness, you will understand the "why" behind our work together.
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Also called Behavior Therapy, BT is based on the premise that if behaviors are learned, they can also be unlearned. Our unhelpful behaviors contribute to our negative emotions, and learning new behaviors in therapy allows us to respond to life's challenges rather than react to them. Behavior Therapy can include stress management techniques, relaxation training, and exposure therapy, to name a few.
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Also called Cognitive Therapy, CT addresses our automatic thoughts and uncovers what we think about ourselves, the people around us, and our situations. It also looks at the interpretations we make and how these interpretations impact our mood and our relationships.
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Problem-Solving Therapy is a solution-focused treatment to aid in identifying your problems, brainstorming possible solutions and carrying out solutions in a way that works for you and meets both your short-term and long-term goals. It is a systematic, goal-oriented approach to handle daily hassles and major life events.
My Background & Credentials
Education
Ph.D. Clinical and Health Psychology
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Commonwealth of PA License #PS016688 since 2009
Professional Affiliations
Member of the American Psychological Association
Member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association
Member of PSYPACT and licensed to conduct telepsychology in 42 states
Experience
Multiple Outpatient settings
College Counseling - Drexel University
Crisis Response Center - Temple University Hospital
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Temple University Hospital
