I'd tell them to expect a partner in talking through concerns with an outside perspective. You'll look to understand my perspective, but without necessarily confirming it, then asking questions and guiding a conversation for me to come to useful conclusions. Then you'll help me step back and consider what could actually be done, checking with me if it actually matches with what I want to do.
Briton's approach has worked really well for us because it's been not just theoretical and "feelings-y" but also process-focused, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented.
Lessons Learned: “There are no shortcuts. Take the time to let your feelings sink in, and remember that it's ok to not be in control or have all the answers. Facing the scary thoughts and feelings head-on is hard but the most beneficial approach one can take... Your approach helped me through the most difficult period of my life.”
“We feel like we're on the right track to connect better and more. Your tools have been gifts: courage to use boundary words, patience to pause when we feel big emotions, awareness to find where we feel in our bodies, curiosity to make space for each other by asking questions, and acceptance that we need not be connected in all moments.”
“Having been in science and tech my whole career, my first impulse is to solve every problem through intellectual analysis. Briton really understands and can engage with that approach, while also being great at teaching other, more intuitive methods for dealing with feelings and relationships. He’s intently observant, noticing the briefest flashes of emotion and catching hold of them before I can bottle them back up. By far the most effective therapist I’ve ever worked with.”
"I can recognize and accept the pain that is with me, but it doesn’t control me and doesn’t stop me from feeling happy."
"Encourages me to disagree… Reassures me that I can voice dissension or a need if I want to."
"Checks in to make sure something is working or okay with me…Checks to see if something is doing any good."
"[2 years later] the depression is pretty much gone. It took a while to dissipate."
"Great knowledge of a variety of topics ranging from geeky to political to expressive and everything in between."
"Our relationship wouldn't be where it is now without you. Thank you so much."
"During this critical period - which has been marked by loss and change - he has helped me to identify self-defeating patterns of thought, enabling me to develop and reinforce healthier narratives for understanding my life. In my experience, he consistently strives to tailor therapy to suit the patient. While it is clear he uses appropriate evidence-based approaches in therapy, he does so with a manner that never feels clinical. On a personal level, he is incredibly empathetic and has developed a keen insight for how I experience my life. This has gone a long way in establishing a foundation of trust that has been essential as I confronted some very difficult issues.
"My body language or emotions are pointed out in a positive or neutral way. There’s not really a value judgment placed on how I’m holding myself… usually I asked to confirm if there is a guess made about what I’m thinking/feeling."
"Organized, empathetic, easy to get ahold of."
"[My son] is expressing himself more and is improving in his moods."