My Approach to Therapy
A new therapy relationship begins with an intake session, where I give you information about the process and how confidentiality works, and ask for information about you and what brings you to therapy. After this we follow up as needed, typically with weekly sessions during which we focus in detail on the problem itself and discuss progress and changes. You may also receive homework that we will review together.
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With my clients I use cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and mindfulness techniques to address relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, developmental and parenting issues, difficulties that stem from medical problems, and other life issues.
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If you come to therapy with multiple areas of concern, you will help determine what is most pressing to address in a given session. If it is necessary to approach issues in a specific order, I will explain and help you understand why.
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The techniques I use during therapy include providing education on topics such as sleep hygiene and cognitive distortions; informal role play aimed at generating more effective communication; review of homework, often involving logging/charting of sleep, food or alcohol intake, exercise, and other activities; and collaborative brainstorming of solutions. Other techniques include Socratic questioning, motivational interviewing, and discussions to help you become more self-aware and comfortable with the ebb and flow of daily life.
"We know what we are, but know not what we may be"
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- William Shakespeare
Bio
Dr. Dana Grip
Ph.D., Washington State University
M.S., B.S., Norwegian University of Science & Technology
B.A., Barnard College of Columbia University
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Dr. Grip received her doctorate from Washington State University and her bachelor’s degree in psychology, history, and elementary education from Barnard College of Columbia University. For several years prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Grip lived in Europe, where she completed an additional bachelor's degree as well as a master's degree on the impact of technology on patient care and communication. Dr. Grip’s doctoral research similarly integrated the use of technology with psychological evaluation.
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Dr. Grip’s clinical experience and training includes therapy and assessments with individuals, couples, and groups. Dr. Grip has worked in community mental health, behavioral medicine clinics, and private practice with both clinical and forensic populations. In addition to the services listed, Dr. Grip specializes in emotional acceptance and behavioral management of medical problems.
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Dr. Grip has taught Pre-K-8 in the United States and Norway, as well as undergraduate psychology courses at Washington State University, including Abnormal Psychology; Principles of Developmental Psychology; Behavioral Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence; Psychology of Women; and Human Sexuality. For the past several years Dr. Grip has been a presenter for the Tech Savvy Conference hosted by the AAUW at Pasadena City College (presentation and handout from April 2018).
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Dr. Grip speaks English and Norwegian.
Dr. Grip is licensed by the California State Board of Psychology (PSY 29379), and in the State of New York (024088).
