Linda T. Inatsuka, Ph.D.,
Licensed Psychologist #PY0005714
What is your educational and professional background? In addition, here are some comments received from clients regarding their experience of having me as their therapist:
I am a Florida State Licensed Psychologist (FL License #PY0005714). I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/Women's Studies from Pitzer College and my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Vermont. My professional experience has included positions at various agencies and organizations including university counseling centers, community mental health clinics, and medical and long-term care facilities. I have been in private practice since 1997. In addition to my clinical work, I have conducted in-service workshops/training programs and consultations to organizations on topics such as team-building, working with difficult clients, developing self-esteem, and effective communication strategies. I have also provided clinical supervision and taught courses as an adjunct faculty member at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Who are your clients exactly?
My clients are individuals and couples who are functioning relatively well in life (e.g., working, going to school/college, managing a household, running businesses, etc.) who have either been faced with a life situation (e.g., relationship/marital conflicts, job loss, financial stressors, work stress, etc.) that they are having difficulty coping with, or they may be feeling stuck in current or past events and want help in moving forward with their lives.
How are you different from other therapists?
I work with clients primarily using a collaborative, strength-based therapeutic approach called Solution-Focused Therapy. Additionally, I may incorporate cognitive-behavioral interventions. I focus on the client's present situation and examine their behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes that may be ineffective or maladaptive for the client and address the changes he/she can make in these areas. As such, my approach tends to be more directive and interactive. I believe that "doing is better than brooding."
Although I may be considered an "expert," I believe that clients generally have the ability to make the necessary changes in their lives. I feel that clients can find solutions to their problems by looking at "what's right," rather than focusing only on "what's wrong." My role as a therapist is to empower clients so that they can find their own solutions to the problems/issues they are struggling with and move forth.
What exactly is Solution-Focused Therapy, and what does it entail?
Solution-Focused Therapy is a type of "talk-therapy" that:
What type of clients do you work best with, and what is expected of me if I become a client?
Clients who get the most out of working with me are those who are open, ready, and serious about making changes in their lives. They may not know exactly what those changes are, but they are willing to do something. Basically, they've come to a place where they are "sick and tired" of being "sick and tired" of how they are living.
As outlined above, Solution-Focused Therapy requires action on the part of the client. That is, as a client, to get the most out of therapy, you are encouraged to take an active role in making changes in your life. I will provide you with "homework assignments" (e.g., using strategies/suggestions in your daily routine, reading articles, journaling) to reinforce what we have discussed during the psychotherapy sessions. Remember, change occurs when you apply what you've discussed or learned during the actual therapy sessions to your life.
How does this all work? What is the "process" of therapy?
Once we've completed the telephone consultation (see below) and we've decided that you will benefit from therapy, we will schedule an initial appointment. During this session, I will ask you further questions regarding your current situation, past history, and set some initial goals and objectives. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions that you may have at that time. Thereafter, we will schedule therapy sessions on a regular (e.g., once a week or once every two weeks) basis. After a few sessions, I will do a brief re-assessment and address your progress in therapy thus far. You will also have an opportunity, at that time, to provide me with some feedback regarding your experience and how you feel therapy is progressing.
What kind of benefits can I expect from working with you?
The benefits of therapy will depend on your motivation, openness to make changes, and how committed you are to working through your difficulties or issues.
Some of the benefits of therapy reported by my clients include:
Okay, what you've explained so far seems to be what I'm looking for in a therapist. How do we get started?
Once you've decided that you'd like to work with me, please contact me at (813) 985-6121 or via e-mail at info@liveempowered.com to set up a FREE phone consultation. Since my therapeutic approach may not be suitable for everyone or appropriate for certain issues, I feel it is best that we set up some time to discuss your concerns/issues that you would like to address in therapy, and how we can best proceed. This will help us to ensure that I am the right therapist for you.
If I'm still not sure whether I want to commit to psychotherapy as of yet, is there a way I can get a "feel" for how you work with clients?
There are two ways that you can get an "idea" of my therapeutic style and how I work with clients. You are welcome to contact me at (813) 985-6121 or via e-mail at info@liveempowered.com to set up an appointment for a FREE, 20-minute telephone consultation.
I would also encourage you to sign-up for your FREE subscription to my monthly e-zine, Live Empowered! for tips and strategies to live an empowered life. You are also invited to follow me on my blog.