Psychotherapy begins with a brief period of getting to know each other. We will explore your difficulties and strengths, in order to sort out what is going well and what you would like to improve. You will also learn about your therapist’s approach and style, so that you feel confident she is a good fit for you. You should feel comfortable with your therapist, not judged in any way, and assured by her professionalism and expertise.
The overall goal of psychotherapy is to help you live a healthier life with improved well-being and functioning. Sometimes this simply means providing you with an attentive, judgment-free ear to help you sort through your thoughts and feelings, while other times it may involve a planned approach to addressing difficulties.
Dr. Cartwright is skilled at different therapeutic approaches and will adapt the therapy to you as a person and to the areas you would like to improve. She will work collaboratively with you in setting your therapy goals and identifying the best style and methods to meet your needs. Dr. Cartwright offers individual therapy to teens age 14 and up, as well as to young adults and adults.
Teletherapy refers to the online, video-assisted delivery of services using a secure and confidential teletherapy platform. Examples of situations where teletherapy may be a good option include living in a remote area where few mental health services are offered, difficulty accessing services for problems or conditions that are underserved within a reasonable travel distance, lacking transportation options to get to psychotherapy, and being unable to travel or leave your home due to illness, injury or being under quarantine or isolation. For teletherapy to be effective, certain conditions must be in place. Clients must have access to a secure and private Wi-Fi connection that is fast enough to support a videoconference. The client must be able to take the call alone, in a private room where he/she/they will not be overheard or disturbed, and feels safe to speak freely. The room should also have few distractions, for example, a quiet, tidy room with seating facing an empty wall. To increase confidentiality and minimize audio feedback, we ask that clients wear headphones or earbuds equipped with a microphone. Please contact us to learn more and to find out whether teletherapy is available for the service you need.
- Consultation about the mental health of your family member diagnosed with Tourette, tic disorder, psychosis spectrum disorder or bipolar spectrum disorder (note: the family member cannot be one of our clients)
- Psychoeducation provided about these disorders and your questions answered
- Support in managing the challenges of parenting or living with someone diagnosed with these disorders
- Guidance toward services to address your loved one’s difficulties
- Helpful for understanding issues, clarifying concerns, developing a plan and coordinating services
- In-depth evaluation of symptoms of possible tic disorder, psychosis or bipolar disorder
- Symptoms are detailed objectively and with precision, using accepted psychiatric measures and language
- The goal of Symptoms Evaluation is to help facilitate referral and access to specialized services and medical expertise
- A Symptoms Evaluation Report does not include psychological diagnosis or psychological diagnostic impression. If our psychological diagnostic impression supports any of these disorders, we will always refer you to a doctor for medical examination and diagnosis.
- This service is available for the following age groups:
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- Age 14 to 65 – suspected psychosis and bipolar symptoms
- Age 6 to 65 – suspected Tourette or tic symptoms
- Preparation of Diagnostic Letter with Recommendations upon medical confirmation of diagnosis, or of Psychological Impressions with Recommendations if our symptoms evaluation is consistent with a diagnosis of Tourette but you are still pursuing a medical evaluation/diagnosis
- Recommendations are tailored to the identification of supports and accommodations at school or work and of treatment directions for psychotherapy and related fields of practice
- Communication with school administrators, special education teachers, employers, mental health professionals and medical professionals
- Helpful for understanding issues, clarifying concerns, developing a plan and coordinating services
- Important when communication has become difficult or when a fresh perspective is needed
- Clinical supervision and consultations for mental health professionals in the areas of tics & Tourette disorder, psychosis spectrum disorders, bipolar spectrum disorders and risk of psychosis
- Professional development and training in the areas of Tourette, psychosis spectrum disorders and risk of psychosis