Please Note: Dr. Bresnan is not accepting new counseling clients at the moment.
Counseling and Therapy
Life can be complicated and messy. It is normal for us all to experience times when we find ourselves feeling stuck or overwhelmed by problems, relationship challenges, transitions, or our own emotional reactions to our experience. At these times, it can be very helpful to engage in a period of counseling or therapy to sort things out. Being able to engage in a frank and confidential conversation about a problem, or the way one is feeling, can make an important difference.
My philosophical approach to counseling and therapy is relational. This means that I tend to see problems not as residing within the individual, but rather as a consequence of where one finds oneself within one’s relational world. This includes the expectations and assumptions that we’ve learned in the past and in turn place on ourselves and others going forward – usually outside of our awareness. In this model of therapy, the therapist can be thought of as providing a sympathetic and nonjudgmental mirror which allows these automatic assumptions and expectations to be seen more clearly, and which can open up new ways of being for the client.
In general, my approach is one of supportive collaboration. I believe that the best solutions are those that come from within the client him or herself. I see my job as facilitating a process that enables clients to clearly see the factors that are holding them back, and helping them envision possibilities for change. Above all, I believe in providing a safe, confidential, and respectful environment where one’s story can be told and understood.
Family Counseling
Sometimes a couple, or members of a family, become disconnected from each other. Not only does this take the joy out of a relationship, it can also result in a cycle of mutually self-defeating behaviors, or patterns of interacting, that can drive people even further apart. Couples and family therapy provides a safe and confidential space for the parties in a relationship to take a look at what’s working and what’s not, and to explore possibilities for change. The goal of couples and family therapy is to bring more awareness and understanding to the relationship between members. The assumption is that when this takes place, the members of the relationship can better decide how to best meet their mutual needs. It is understood that decisions on the direction and future of the relationship or family must come from the members themselves. I have trained at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York City, and use the Ackerman Relational Approach in my work with couples and families.
Limits of Practice
My approach to individual counseling and therapy is time-limited and the office is closed for several weeks each year. The advantage of time-limited therapy is that it provides a structure that encourages disciplined progress toward defined goals. However, it is not suitable for everyone. Individuals who are in an active life-threatening crisis, or who are struggling with certain types of longstanding problems, may be better served by a therapist who can provide uninterrupted support. There is no charge for an initial consultation, and I will talk with you about possible referrals if appropriate.
