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Derek Feldman, Graduate student in Family Studies specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy  Hi, my name is Derek Feldman, and I am a graduate student in Family Studies specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Kentucky who has more than five years of experience working with people in a therapeutic context. I began my current Master of Science degree program in the Fall of 2006 and expect to graduate at the end of the Spring of 2008. I am a therapist intern at the University of Kentucky Family Center where I receive supervision from AAMFT approved supervisors and faculty. Before arriving at UK, I received my Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology and Certificate in Gender/Women’s Studies from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. I also worked at a Batterer Intervention Program for men who had been abusive to their partners, a Transitional Living Program for homeless young adults, and a Teen Crisis Shelter. I hope to complete my PhD in Family Studies, as well as Certificates in Medical Behavioral Science and College Teaching and Learing. I welcome the opportunity to engage with a diversity of people and actively pursue sensitivity towards the concerns of people from various cultural backgrounds, belief systems, ethnicities, social-statuses, gender expressions, and sexual orientations | Therapeutic Approach As a therapist intern, I work from a systemic perspective, which means that I pay particular attention to people in their context. Some important aspects of that context are the relationships people have with family and other significant people in thier lives. I help clients access their own strengths and solutions, as well as offer scientifically-based information to help guide decisions and meet their goals. Basically, I use a two-pronged approach that helps people decrease their unwanted thoughts, feelings, or behaviors; and increase the parts of their lives that bring them meaning and joy. I attend to the whole person which includes mental, emotional, physical, relational, and ethical (or for some people spiritual/religious) well-being. When this is done in the presence and in conjunction with the other important people in their lives, the benefit grows exponentially and is usually long-lasting. I listen carefully to people's concerns and adapt my approach to help them meet their goals. | What to Expect from Therapy with Me Therapy should be relatively brief. I believe that if you are not seeing any concrete results in 6-8 sessions, you should consider exploring other options The length of therapy depends on a number of factors including the presenting issues and people's interest or motivation. However, usually we work for a minimum of 6 sessions and a maximum of 20 sessions. I am flexible about the length and frequency of sessions, but often I meet with clients for one hour each week until we are close to ending therapy. At that time, we meet for one hour every two or three weeks. When possible, I prefer to do two check-up sessions at 6 and 12 months after the end of therapy. Some clients choose to check in once or twice a year or have an occasional as-needed check-up. |
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