Therapeutic Approach

Dr. Arias Shah's approach

The approach a clinician takes is guided by theories, to understand and address a particular phenomenon presented or discovered in the therapeutic process, as the clinician develops a respectful alliance with clients accordingly. As a systemic thinker, the following theories informs Dr. Arias Shah's therapeutic framework: Collaborative, Systems, and Relational. The commonalities among these theories are its perspective/stance on the need to collaborate with the clients, as clients are the experts of their life, acknowledging the pivotal role clients' systems are in understanding the "problem" and potential solution, acknowledge the process of growth and learning happens through dialogue (meaning making), the need to explore and be sensitive to cultural and diverse elements when assessing and developing treatment goals and approaches accordingly, and lastly understanding the powerful influence of the therapeutic relationship/alliance.

Based on these theories, models are chosen as the vehicles to meet the unique needs of the clients. The model "chosen" depends on many factors including: the client/s, the systems involved, the presenting "problem," identified goals, consideration of culture and diversity, as well as ethical and legal considerations, and the clinician's expertise of the appropriateness and effectiveness of the model/s given the aforementioned factors, etc.

Typical therapeutic model utilization by Dr. Arias Shah: 

Note: the information below has been extracted from MFT Model Chart developed by Dr. Nelson

• Solution Focused- Focus on present and future except for the past in terms of exceptions; not focused on the past in terms of cause of changing the past
  • Assess exceptions—times when problem isn’t there
  • Assess what has worked in the past, not necessarily related to the problem; client strengths
  • Assess what will be different when the problems is gone (becomes goal that might not be clearly related to the stated problem)

• Narrative- Focus on effects of the problem, not the cause (how problem impacts family; how family affects problem)
  • Changes the way the clients view themselves and assist them in re-authoring their story in a positive light; find the alternative but preferred story that is not problem-saturated

• Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy (CBFT)- Family relationships, cognitions, emotions, and behavior mutually influence one another
  • Goal is to modify specific patterns of thinking and/or behavior to alleviate the presenting symptom

• Structural- Problems reside within a family structure (although not necessarily caused by the structure)
  • Perturb the system because the structure is too rigid (chaotic or closed) or too diffuse (enmeshed)

• Bowen/Family Systems Therapy- Anyone can become symptomatic with enough stress; more differentiated people will be able to withstand more stress and, when they do become symptomatic, recover more quickly
  • Decrease emotional reactivity—increase thoughtful responses

• Gottman- Couples need to be in emotional states to learn how to cope with and change them
  • Provide the tools that the couple can use with one another and make their own

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)- Distressed couples get caught in negative repetitive sequences of interaction where partners express secondary emotions rather than primary emotions.
  • Foster the creation of a secure bond between partners through the creation of new interactional events that redefine the relationship

Beginning therapeutic services with Dr. Arias Shah

Before the first session clients receive via email some initial paper work (consent, cancelation policy and intake forms) for them to conveniently fill out, which allows Dr. Arias Shah to review. Appointment reminders are also conveniently sent automatically to clients either via text or email.

As for the initial session, Dr. Arias Shah addresses what can be expected from therapy, however her emphasis is on establishing a therapeutic rapport and alliance, as she recognizes the need and value of being culturally sensitive to her clients, becoming familiar with them as individuals, their cultures, and the systems they are a part of, to develop an understanding of the their concerns/needs, and begins to collaboratively work towards developing their goals. To accomplish this Dr. Arias Shah provides a safe environment for her clients to process their feelings and concerns facilitating the therapeutic process in achieving their goals accordingly.