Psychotherapy Services
I offer psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families. This page outlines the methods I use in psychotherapy sessions and how they can benefit you. It talks about the goals and benefits, and lists the ways these services can be used. It also has a section that dimply describes “What is psychotherapy?” As always please feel free to contact me with any questions. I look forward to meeting you.
Psychotherapy Services are powerful and effective and should not be a mystery. Results should be:
1. Meaningful
The results of psychotherapy services should be highly meaningful to you. We will discuss your unique goals to bring relief, happiness, and deeper understanding. That meaningfulness should motivate you as we move forward in your treatment experience.
2. Measurable
Whenever possible, we will make goals measurable. It should not be a mystery or hard to know whether the process works; it should be evident and apparent to you and those around you. You will be able to track your progress.
3. Important
The goals of psychotherapy you set and the path you pursue should be critical to you. These methods can help with more minor challenges and more significant life issues. We will work on both, and in the end, you should see important positive change.
About Psychotherapy Sessions
Psychotherapy is a powerful tool for promoting mental and emotional well-being, personal growth, and improved mental health. Here are some key aspects of the power and potential of these methods. I also answer the question, “What is psychotherapy?” below.
Psychotherapy Sessions and Enhanced Self-Understanding
Psychotherapy encourages self-reflection and self-awareness. Through introspection and exploration, you can better understand yourself, your behaviors, your motivations, and your needs. The process can help you build self-confidence, set and achieve goals out of reach, and cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning. The general goals of psychotherapy are to further your feelings of contentment and reduce the effects of barriers and challenges.
Eliminate Negative Thoughts and Think Positively
My strengths based approach is designed to change maladaptive behavior and thought patterns. For example, cognitive-behavioral (CBT) or it’s cousin Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy helps the people I serve to identify and replace negative thought patterns and behaviors with healthier alternatives. These strategies help you build resilience and enhance coping skills as time passes. This will help you address potential issues before they become more severe. Adlerian Therapy is another example of a strengths-based approach that focuses on possibilities and positive change.
Psychotherapy for Improved Relationships
These approaches can also benefit relationships, both romantic and familial. They provide a platform for communication, conflict resolution, and developing healthier relationship dynamics. Even if you do not engage in couples or family treatment, we can still work on how you can make the relationships in your life deeper, more understanding, and more meaningful.
Long-Term Benefits and a Toolkit
You will leave your treatment course with a toolkit to help you manage stresses and opportunities moving forward. For example, we might discuss stress management and relaxation strategies or develop specific coping skills. The benefits of psychotherapy can extend far beyond the duration of treatment. The hope is that you will acquire lifelong skills and insights that continue to benefit you in various aspects of your life.
More Information
Choosing a therapist who is the right fit for you is important. You want to ensure that their therapeutic approach is appropriate for the questions or concerns you are coming in with and that their style matches the kind of psychologist you would work well with. I hope this site can help you determine whether I might be a match. I’d be honored to work with you, but I can also refer you to a trusted colleague if you feel there would be a better match elsewhere.
More below, in the section called, “What is psychotherapy?” There is also another post about finding a private practice therapist and one about what going to therapy is like.
Traditional Psychotherapy Services
I offer services in my Westwood, Massachusetts office and virtually.
Individual Psychotherapy
This treatment can benefit almost anyone who wants to improve their insight into their current challenges. If you suffer from more sadness, anxiety, regret, or anger than you would like, I can probably help. Services would be a fit if you experienced trauma, are going through an expected or unexpected life transition, or are generally not getting the joy and pleasure out of life that you would like.
Couples Psychotherapy
If you and your partner find that you fight too much, are having trouble communicating, or are just not connecting as meaningfully as you used to, I can help. I see those who have been married for many years and are hitting a rough patch, newlyweds who are putting their new lives together, and couples who have decided to get married. Couples therapy often comes with homework.
Family Psychotherapy
Family treatment involves two or more members working together to reduce conflict, improve communication and closeness, or work out specific challenges. This treatment can involve adult children and their parent or parents, sibling groups, and parents who meet without the child present. Family psychotherapy often lends itself to virtual so everyone can join. I use various techniques, including narrative therapy for families and systems treatment.
Time-Limited Psychotherapy Services
I also offer other unique services in person and virtually.
Single Session Assessment
Sometimes, all that is needed is a single session where a comprehensive assessment leads to suggestions to remediate a concern. You may be looking to know whether you have a specific diagnosis or want some advice on handling things on your own. I am happy to provide you with a comprehensive evaluation in these cases. I can also provide referrals based on the assessment.
Parent Training
While I do not see clients younger than 16, I am trained in family treatment and can provide parents with ideas, information, and techniques to help their child and the entire family. This type of treatment is often helpful when the child is also seeing their own therapist. This service can also be provided for parents looking to remain close to their adult children.
Psychological Testing
I can provide psychological testing and assessment for a variety of concerns. Some examples include diagnostic evaluation for ADHD in adolescents and adults, vocational assessment for adults, the nature and cause of depression or anxiety, and sports performance evaluation. These evaluations usually take 2-4 hours, and I’ll have a report to you or your therapist within two weeks.
Specialty Services
Services for specific needs.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy sessions help you identify and clarity the challenges holding you back
Psychotherapy sessions help you share your hopes, fears, wishes, and anxieties in a safe place
Psychotherapy sessions give you a chance to put aside time to focus on your needs and possible solutions
Psychotherapy sessions give you a toolkit to use in your everyday life to help you feel more content and fulfilled
Psychotherapy sessions are designed with powerful, proven and effective clinical approaches
The answer to the questions, “What is psychotherapy?” or “What is therapy like?” are often unique for each person. It is designed to help you overcome barriers, reduce challenges, and increase your sense of meaningfulness and contentment. The therapeutic path to get you there will be uniquely designed. When we meet, we will ask, “What is Psychotherapy for you?”
Goals of Psychotherapy
The goals of psychotherapy extend beyond symptom relief. While these methods can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, its deeper purpose is to help individuals develop insight, emotional resilience, and a more meaningful, well-aligned life.
Psychotherapy is a collaborative process in which a licensed psychologist helps clients understand themselves more fully, navigate challenges effectively, and make lasting, constructive changes.
Core Goals of Psychotherapy:
Improve Self-Understanding and Insight
One of the primary goals of psychotherapy is to increase self-awareness. It helps individuals recognize patterns in thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships—often uncovering the roots of current difficulties.
Develop Healthier Coping Skills
Treatment supports the development of adaptive coping strategies for managing life’s challenges. Clients learn tools to respond more flexibly to stress, uncertainty, and emotional intensity.
Strengthen Relationships and Communication
Many people pursue treatment to improve relationships. These approaches help clarify boundaries, enhance communication, and foster more secure, authentic connections with others.
Support Personal Growth and Meaning
Beyond symptom reduction, one of the deeper goals of psychotherapy is personal growth. It can help individuals clarify values, reconnect with purpose, and move toward a life that feels intentional and fulfilling.
Reduce Psychological Distress
Another key goal of psychotherapy is alleviating symptoms such as anxiety, depression, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, and burnout. This treatment provides evidence-based strategies to improve emotional regulation and psychological stability.
Change Unhelpful Thoughts and Behaviors
A central goal of psychotherapy is helping individuals identify and modify unhelpful beliefs, habits, and behavioral patterns that interfere with well-being, performance, or relationships.
Increase Confidence and Emotional Resilience
Through treatment, individuals often experience improved self-confidence, self-trust, and resilience—allowing them to navigate challenges with greater steadiness and clarity.
Enhance Psychological Flexibility
These methods help individuals increase psychological flexibility—the ability to think clearly, consider multiple perspectives, tolerate ambiguity, and choose responses aligned with long-term values rather than short-term relief.
What Are the Goals of Psychotherapy Overall?
In summary, the goals of psychotherapy include:
Improved emotional well-being
Greater self-understanding
Healthier coping and decision-making
Stronger relationships
Increased resilience and meaning
The goal is not about becoming “perfect” or eliminating all discomfort. Rather, its goal is to help individuals live more effectively, authentically, and aligned with what matters most to them.
Get In Touch
I’d be happy to provide a deeper insight into, “What is psychotherapy”, answer any questions you have about the psychotherapy services listed above, or anything else about my practice. You can also find related information, such as an answer to the common questions, “How long does therapy take?” and “Does therapy help?” as well as information about how to find therapy in my blog.
Call
(617)-680-5488
dralanjacobson@yahoo.com
Address
In person: Westwood, MA & Lee, NH
Virtual: Serving 40 states