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My name is Dr. Hilary Garland and I am a clinical psychologist.
I have worked in the field of mental health for the past 14 years
in diverse mental health settings (for more info see "About the Dr.").
I work with children, adolescents and adults in individual,
family and group settings.
Click on one of the words below for more information.
Click on the yellow description to close it. |
| Depression |
Anxiety |
Relationship Issues |
Issues of Loss/Grief |
| Parenting |
Divorce |
Child/Adolescent Issues |
Stress/Burnout |
| Self Esteem |
Spirituality |
Bi/Gay/Lesbian Issues |
Personality Disorders |
| Trauma/PTSD |
Aging/MidLife |
Life Transitions |
Mindfulness |
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| Individual Therapy |
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In individual counseling or therapy, a client meets with me one-on-one in fifty-minute sessions (typically). A working, therapeutic relationship may last for only a few sessions or may continue for much longer, depending on the needs of the client. Although talking to a counselor for the first time can feel awkward or embarrassing, clients tend to become comfortable with the process of talking to a therapist during the first session.
Clients come to the therapy for a wide range of reasons, hoping to feel and function better. Common issues include: general anxiety and stress, difficult childhood and family experiences (past and present), relationship struggles, depression, homesickness, and transition issues. Clients also come to the therapy to work toward developing a better self-image, to explore existential themes (e.g. "What's my purpose?" or "Why am I here?"), or to achieve personal growth. The approach to such treatment varies from person-to-person, but may for some include a good deal of initial work involving the client's past experiences, and for others may emphasize current experiences. I provide a strength-based, compassionate and supportive environment for clients to pursue this form of self-exploration. |
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| Couples Therapy |
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| Couples who find themselves engaging in frequent conflict, experiencing unsatisfying communication patterns, having power or control struggles, experiencing betrayal, having sexual difficulties, or experiencing other threats to their relationship may benefit from couples therapy. They often feel that their relationship is stuck or in a repeating cycle which never improves. Couples come to reduce the intensity and duration of negative feelings within the relationship and to reconnect with their partner. Couples counseling is a reparative undertaking, requiring sincere motivation by the couple to engage in direct conversation, explore new patterns of relating, and formulate a solid foundation. I provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental forum for couples to discuss, listen and understand one another. Forgiveness, growth and development of the couple and individual is stressed. |
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| Child and Family Therapy |
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No one provides a manual for how to raise a child. Most parents fly by the seat of their pants until things become unbearable. Parents beat themselves up for not being perfect. Children and adolescents often want to connect but instead act out or push parents away because they don’t know how to get their needs met. I am experienced and trained in work with children and adolescents who are experiencing attachment struggles, issues relating to traumatic events, as well as grief and loss related to divorce or other family losses. Additionally, I work with behavioral problems that occur in the home, school, and social environments. I relate well to children and adolescents, utilizing their means of communication, and a playful approach to facilitate change and healing. Concurrently, I will work closely with the parent or caregiver to monitor and support the adoption of new skills developed in therapy to the affected environment. Individual sessions last 50 minutes, and are commonly recommended weekly.
With families, I tend to focus on how the maintenance of patterns in a family can perpetuate a long-standing problem. I try to loosen the cycle of blame and disappointment so that real connection, forgiveness and growth can occur. I balance the hard work and serious dialogue with humor and playfulness to bring about change through the most comfortable means possible. Family sessions last 50 minutes, unless otherwise structured based on family size or topic area. Family therapy commonly meets every other week, with homework assigned for the off weeks. This structure is effective at creating long-lasting change as a result of the commitment and energy that the family brings to each session. |
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| Group Therapy |
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Sometimes, clients prefer to have the company and insight of a group. Group psychotherapy allows a group member to observe and reflect on their and other’s social skills. As well, group members receive immediate feedback about their concerns and issues.
For more information on group therapy and how you can join Click Here |
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