Dr. Ana López, Licensed Psychologist

Problems in life are attributed to a greater pattern of emotions, thoughts and actions that guide how you see yourself, others, and the world. These relational patterns are developed within formative experiences. Your understanding and response to these experiences serve as the basis of your current interactions with others, with the past effecting the present and future. The impact of certain events can be easily understood, such as the loss of a loved one, a traumatic event, or a major life change. While at other times, the power of an influential experience is hidden, manifesting as a form of psychological distress. Psychotherapy provides the framework for exploration as it directs the course of discovery, leading to understanding and growth. It serves as the channel to break from reflexive responses and change the way you feel, think and act. Depending on your concerns, psychotherapy may begin by focusing the management of current stressors. However, only focusing on short-term solutions will likely leave you vulnerable to further problems later in life. In the development of enduring change, a meaningful understanding of the root cause of patterns is key.