Richard S. Shapiro Ph.D., ABPP (He/Him)

Approach Description: I practice client centered, outcome-informed integrative psychotherapy within a behavioral and relational theoretical base. I utilize structured and unstructured interviews and symptom inventories to understand the client's presenting problems in terms of frequency, intensity, duration, complexity, degree of subjective distress, functional impairment, strengths, resources, and readiness for change. I inquire about the about each client's self-identification about gender, culture, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and obtain information regarding family constellation, key relationships, critical developmental events, values and core beliefs about themselves and others. I elicit the client's preferences for treatment, and then develop a working case conceptualization that I share in a spirit of collaboration. Empirical literature informs my understanding of relational and patient variables that impact treatment outcomes and support a solid working alliance . Our relationship puts into motion the common factors of instilling hope, creating an expectation that change is possible, providing opportunity for corrective emotional experiences, and both encouraging and facilitating insession focus and practice of new learning. I strive to create a safe space for my clients to connect emotionally to themselves and to me, fostering a secure attachment, which helps them overcome the emotional and experiential avoidance common to emotional disorders. By monitoring my clients subjective experience, together we understand more about their daily experience, how they construct their world, and experience progress toward achieving their treatment objectives. Regardless of the presenting problem, I assess, monitor and adjust treatment in a client directed outcome informed manner. This keeps therapy process focused, interesting, and alive for both of us, and seems to enhance the probability that my clients have the experience of being held in a safe relationship.