Therapy

Text Box: INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE, OR FAMILY THERAPY
Some people prefer to begin therapy alone, others
with their partners, and others with their
families. Still others feel that a combination of
individual, couple, and/or family meetings works best
for them. APPROACH TO THERAPY
People make sense of their lives through stories they tell about themselves. My approach to therapy focuses on these stories, exploring ways in which people can change their relationships problems or difficulties they face. This approach is known as ‘narrative therapy’. (If you want to learn more about Narrative Therapy, please click here.) Some people— Children and adults alike—prefer expressing their stories and relationships to problems visually rather than with words. In my work with them, I use an approach called ‘creative process therapy’. (If you want to learn more about Creative Process Therapy, please click here.) Both of these approaches can be used in relation to any difficulties that a person may be struggling with. My approach tries to be mindful of how ideas about families, sexuality, gender, age, class, religion and culture significantly influence people’s life experiences. People who come to me for therapy are often struggling as a result of major life changes. Problems they have wanted to work on have included: Stress and Trauma Grief and Sadness Low Self Esteem Feelings of Discouragement Feelings of Hopelessness Loneliness and Isolation School Adjustment Relationship Issues Communication Problems Changes in Family Structure Parenting Issues Parent/Child Conflict Feelings of Vulnerability Self-Doubt Insecurity Feeling Distrustful Feeling Unhappy Missing Direction in Life Self Exploration Adjustment to Life Changes Adjustment and Acculturation LENGTH OF MEETINGS
I usually meet for 60 minutes with each individual, couple or family. Sometimes other meeting lengths seem to be more useful. If that happens, we may decide to adjust the length of subsequent meetings. FREQUENCY AND LENGTH OF THERAPY
How often people come for therapy, and how long they want to continue to stay in therapy, depends largely on how helpful they find it. Some people like to meet weekly, others less frequently. Some people schedule meetings only when things come up. Some people have problems that can be resolved in a few meetings, others need many meetings. In the course of therapy, I frequently check in with people to make sure that the frequency and length of therapy are helpful. COST OF THERAPY
My regular fee is $110 per 60 minute meeting. I am on several insurance plans. If you wish to use your insurance please let me know. If you cannot afford my fee and I am not on your insurance plan, I can offer services using a sliding fee scale based on income.

Text Box: Stories & Art Individual and Family Therapy Adults and Children 3020 North Kimball Avenue Chicago, IL 60618 773 370 4789 info@storiesandart.com MAP

Text Box: THERAPY

Individual and Family Therapy

Adults and Children

Johanna (Hans) Buwalda M.Ed., M.A., L.C.P.C.