Steven Wong, PhD - Philosophy

My Treatment Philosophy

I take a holistic approach to understanding each client and their unique presenting concerns. I appreciate that our mind, body, spirit, and relationships are all intertwined and intimately affected by one another. I try to focus on each client's strengths and talents in addition to their struggles and areas for growth.

I have a flexible therapeutic style that draws from several major theoretical approaches to psychotherapy. At a basic level, I believe that there is inherent value in increasing self-understanding and self-acceptance. As clients come to a deeper appreciation for how their personal history can affect their current feelings, motivations, and relationships, they often feel more grounded and better able to make well-informed decisions about how to live their lives in a rewarding manner.

However, insight alone is often not enough to allow clients to make the types of life changes that they desire. Therefore, I also incorporate techniques from action-oriented approaches to therapy that emphasize learning new skills and trying out new behaviors. Since clients frequently struggle with problems in relationships, these new skills are often directed toward improving the quality of their relationships.

I believe that therapy should be a partnership. For my part, I will bring my energy, experience, and sensitivity to the therapeutic relationship. In return, I ask each client for openness, honesty, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. My goal is to collaborate with each client to help them achieve a greater sense of happiness, peace, integrity and satisfaction in their lives.