Dr. Shari Geller 421 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 4
Registered Psychologist Toronto ON, M5N 1A4
Tel: (416) 780-1791
INFORMATION LETTER
AND CONSENT FORM
BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Dr. Shari Geller is a registered psychologist and has been practicing
psychotherapy for over 10 years. She received her M.A and Ph.D
in Clinical Psychology from York University. She has also studied
CranioSacral Therapy at both the Upledger Institute and privately.
Her research interests are focused on therapeutic presence;
that is the importance of presence for both the therapist and
client. Shari's therapeutic approach is eclectic and includes
experiential, client-centered, emotion-focused, cognitive-behavioural,
and bodily-oriented psychotherapies, such as Focusing and CranioSacral
Therapy. How she approaches therapy and the client is based
on the needs and state of being of a particular person at a
particular time. Shari also practices and facilitates mindfulness
meditation including pain-management techniques.
Shari is currently practicing in both downtown Toronto and the
Grey County area, offering individual, couples, and group psychotherapy
for clients suffering from various difficulties including depression,
post-traumatic stress disorder, motor-vehicle accidents, post-effects
of sexual, physical and emotional trauma, grief and loss, separation
and divorce, relationship issues, sexuality issues, chronic
physical pain, insomnia, anxiety, stress and tension, and various
other forms of physical and emotional illnesses. It is important
to note that not everyone who comes to therapy is suffering
with an "illness" or "disorder." She also
works with people who desire personal or spiritual growth and
wish to know and become more of who they are.
Shari's intention in therapy is to help people to help themselves,
as well as to access the deep well of knowledge and wisdom that
she believes is inherent in every human being. Often times we
get stuck in various aspects of our life due to trauma or loss,
or we suffer from inherent forms of emotional distress such
as anxiety, panic or depression. Ideally, the goal in therapy
is to help people to listen to their own body signals and needs,
and to access their own inner resources for continued healing
and growth.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THERAPY?
The first session typically involves generating an understanding
of what brings you to therapy, your background and may involve
a brief case history. It is also an opportunity for you to get
to know your therapist and ask questions. The goals of therapy
are then formed and based on a collaborative effort between
your therapist and yourself, to help develop an understanding
of what is troubling you, the source of that discomfort, and
how to develop positive coping mechanisms to move beyond your
difficulties to a more wholistic or at least non-harmful approach
to balance and live your life. You are encouraged to talk about
whatever issues you wish and it is equally important that you
not talk about anything that you wish not to disclose. You are
viewed as the expert on your self and the therapist is there
to help uncover and deepen your expertise. You also have the
choice to end therapy at anytime if you find that it is not
working for you. However, it is encouraged that you discuss
this first with your therapist, as sometimes a feeling of not
working is actually an indicator of something important emerging
in the therapy. If you still feel that therapy is not useful,
the choice to leave is always an option.
Please note that you will get as much out of therapy as you
are willing to put into it. Different exercises as well as discussion
will be adapted to facilitate your growth and recovery (if applicable).
This experience will be amplified by your willingness to spend
time with your self and work on what has been discussed in therapy,
between sessions. This way, you will develop the skills and
ability to overcome difficult experiences and emotions and to
deepen your self-knowledge and awareness when you are on your
own, in between sessions, and long after therapy has ended.
WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?
Psychologists are bound by professional and ethical standards
to maintain strict confidentiality. However, there are exceptions
to confidentiality, which are as follows:
If you report harm to be done to yourself or someone else, if
you report abuse of a child under the age of 16-years old, or
if you report abuse you received by another regulated health
practitioner (i.e., Medical doctor, Chiropractor, Massage Therapist,
Occupational Therapist), then the information needs to be released
for the protection of you or other people. The final exception
to confidentiality is if the court subpoenas the information.
If these situations emerge then an attempt would be made to
speak with you first if possible.
If you have any questions that have not been answered by this
information sheet then please feel free to ask.
I (we) have read the above and accept the conditions of the
practice set out above:
Name_________________________________
Signature: _____________________________
Date: _________________________________
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