Psychological Services

Individual Psychotherapy

The goal of psychotherapy is to gain a greater sense of happiness and fullfillment, have more satisfying relationships, and live more closely to our full potential. By examining our thoughts, feelings and behaviors therapy can help us find new ways of coping with distressing emotions and decreasing inner and interpersonal conflicts. Psychotherapy can, at times, be experienced as emotionally uncomfortable. Beginning therapy takes courage and strength. It is not easy to examine yourself, become aware of your behaviors and try to make changes. Therapy can provide the safety and support needed to make lasting change. Research shows that more people are helped by this process when thery are matched with the right therapist.

How does one know when to seek professional help?
You probably want to consider finding help through professional psychological services if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• You notice that you feel subjectively distressed and have a low level of satisfaction with life
• You are not functioning well in your daily home or work life
• Your social relationships are suffering
• You notice changes in moods and symptoms of depression and anxiety
• You have trouble making decisions

Couple and Relationship Therapy

Couples often seek relationship therapy when they are experiencing conflict, or are under stress and the communication has broken down. All relationships require ongoing work but specially when resentment, contempt and anger have built up over time and is affecting other aspects of your life. Couple therapy allows individuals to recognize patterns of behavior, stresses in the relationship, and own responsibility for their respective contribution in creating emotional distance. A trusting environment is created where each person in the relationship learns to communicate their vulnerabilities and needs in a more effective manner leading to a healthier, more intimate and a mutually satisfying relationship.

Parent Training and Support

The goal of parent training is to improve parent-child interactions and more effective parenting skills. Using principals of attachment and learning theories, and effective communication, parent training helps parents become more empathetic towards children and understand the underlying reasons for problematic behaviors. In addition parents become aware of their own values and beliefs guiding their parenting approach, learn to communicate in an effective manner, and in turn help enhance their children’s self-esteem.

For parents who may be dealing with a child’s special needs, learning disabilities, or experiencing major life transitions, eg. divorce, parent training provides support and guidance in meeting those needs.

Mediation and Collaborative Family Law

The goal of mediation and collaboration divorce is to help the family in the process of reorganization, through separation and divorce, while maintaining the rights and responsibilities of parent-child relationships. The focus is to prevent emotional damage to all parties, by increasing cooperative problem solving and allowing for parental self-determination.

Mediation is also useful in helping families going through other familial or intergenerational disputes by opening up channels of communication, finding lasting resolutions and rebuilding relationships. Dr. Bhatia does not provide legal advise or recommend terms of agreements. She helps people reach their own decisions which may include mutually agreed upon intentions and plans for building trust and rebuilding relationships.

Cultural Sensitivity

I work with individuals, families and couples with cultural awareness and sensitivity throughout all psychological services.