Learn About Working With Dr. Sheldon
My style of working
I want to help my patients to accomplish their therapeutic goals as effectively, efficiently, quickly and comfortably as possible. This requires creating a working partnership between the therapist and the patient; identifying and understanding the real issues and source of the problem; and utilizing the correct approach in resolving it.
Psychologist-Patient Relationship.
I work and relate with each patient as a unique complex individual (heart-mind-body-soul), rather than just dealing with symptoms. This allows for the treatment to both resolve the presenting problems and help the patient to grow as a person personally and professionally. This approach is healthier, the results tend to be more lasting; and usually requires less treatment time and money.
Identifying and understanding the real issues and source of the problem.
Often a patient comes for treatment of a particular symptom but does not realize that the symptom may be a consequence of something else that they are totally unaware of. If the psychologist and patient spend time and effort dealing just with this symptom, usually the problem does not get corrected. I utilize specific techniques to help the patient quickly identify and understand what the real issues that need to be addressed are. This allows the treatment to proceed properly.
Utilizing the correct approach in resolving the problem.
Having earned Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology, and completed hundreds of hours of additional specialized training, and thousands of hours of clinical experience, I come to each session with insight and many tools. They include psychodynamic, behavioral, gestalt, family systems, hypnosis, biofeedback, transpersonal psychology, spirituality, expressive arts therapies (music therapy), and others.
HYPNOSIS – Is it the right treatment for you?
The proper use of hypnosis in the treatment of both physiological and psychological disorders and conditions can be of great help. Hypnotherapy, when utilized by a qualified and experienced therapist, can greatly reduce the length of treatment.
Often, it is the preferred method of treatment. For more information about how I use hypnosis and self-hypnosis to help people, please click here.
Treatment Sessions:
Sessions: length, frequency, and number
Although a standard session is usually 50 minutes, I believe that a person’s heart, mind, and soul do not work like an alarm clock, and that if someone is in the middle of deep important work, it is better not to be interrupted and come back a week later to start again. Therefore, sessions can be longer or shorter depending on what is appropriate. Sometimes a ten or fifteen minute consultation on the telephone can be very effective in giving practical guidance and strength, or help with homework, between office visits.
The First Session:
Many psychologists and hypnotists wait for a number of sessions before starting actual treatment. When possible, I want to begin the actual treatment during the first session and provide my patient with positive experiences, tools, and abilities to begin making positive therapeutic changes by the end of the first meeting. For this reason the first session may be open ended in time and can be as short as fifty minutes or as long as two and a half hours (or any amount in between). This approach allows for me to 1) take a sufficient history 2) make certain necessary evaluations, 3) begin to create a treatment strategy and plan, and 4) begin the treatment.
Ongoing sessions:
Usually sessions are fifty minutes long, and take place in my office, however the length can vary depending on the situation and the needs of the patient, and sometimes work is done by telephone.
Frequency of sessions:
Usually sessions are weekly, however depending on the presenting problem sessions can be scheduled either more or less frequently. I believe that as long as the patient can absorb and utilize what is being learned during the sessions, it is better to complete the treatment as soon as possible, rather than letting the treatment linger on and on. Generally, working this way is actually more efficient and therefore less expensive, overall, to achieve one’s therapeutic goals.
Duration of treatment:
The duration obviously varies depending on the nature of the problem and the nature of the patient. I have been told by many patients that the way I work helps them to achieve their goals much faster than the previous attempts they have made with other therapists. Some problems require from one to three sessions, others require five to ten sessions, and others require more. I can usually tell you after two sessions, approximately how long the treatment will take. Duration also depends on the commitment of the patient to do the homework that I ask be done.
Results and Expectations:
Most of my patients experience positive results within the first two sessions. It is usual that patients gain important insights, acquire new tools, and even experience positive change within the first session.
Providing medical information:
Any Information about your medical condition, including information from other physicians, whom you have seen for treatment, can help me to properly understand and evaluate your situation and condition, and provide you with better treatment. When appropriate, information from your doctor may be required before starting certain specific procedures of treatment (for example: hypnosis for management of pain).
Confidentiality and release of information:
According to the laws of the State of Israel, and the United States, as well as the laws of Halacha, all information disclosed during treatment is confidential and can be released only with the patient’s written permission or by court order.
Financial considerations:
The session fee is based on the amount of time that I am working. The fee is the same for an individual, a couple, or a family. The fee is pro-rated based on the agreed fee for fifty minutes. That means that a session which is seventy-five minutes long is one and a half times the fifty minute fee. The session rate does not include ma’am (VAT). Discounted fees may be available on an individual basis when needed. Please do not be embarrassed to ask for a discount if you truly need one.
I am confident in the work that I do, and I want my patients to be happy and satisfied, therefore I offer guarantee of patient satisfaction. Click for more information.
Time of payment:
The payment is made at the end of each session, unless other arrangements are made in writing.
Cancellation policy:
I give each of my patients the time that they need, so that they feel comfortable and do not feel rushed. Your time is put aside especially for you. Therefore, a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours notice must be given in order not to be charged. If proper notice is not given, the patient is responsible to pay for the time that was put aside. (If I am able to give the time I put aside for you to another patient, I will not charge you – even if notice was not given in time.)
Please feel welcome to call in order to discuss any questions you may have.
08-976-1056