Frequently Asked Questions About Psychotherapy

What is your philosophy of intercultural relationships and change?
I have a systemic and psychodynamic philosophy. Having a systemic philosophy means I look first at the ‘big picture’ dynamics such as experiences with multiple cultures and change, and the family or workplace culture’s historical attitude and behaviors on cultural differences. Having a psychodynamic philosophy means I pay attention to the context surrounding the confusion or conflict in the present. Specifically, I explore when and how life experiences such as cultural and language losses, change in social status, stressed community connections, and other experiences affecting relationships. Understanding context allows people to connect and form more trusting relationships.

Why Hire a consultant with experience as a therapist?
My clinical training in family systems psychology and 25 years of hands on experience working with people from all over the world as well as different regions in the US gives me an edge over most consultants and trainers. Consultants and trainers who do not have significant training in clinical psychology stay at the superficial level of behavioral change. My psychology and systemic training can take the client into the etiology of a problem to find a solution that gives lasting systemic change. Additionally, I am committed to continuing education. Every year I attend national and international conferences in the fields of multicultural studies, international business, and psychology, as well as reading research which keeps my practice fresh and my skill evolving.

How Do You Differentiate Yourself as a Consultant and Trainer?
In addition to 25 years of hands on clinical and consulting practice in the US and internationally, I have lived and worked and spent some years raising my children in South America. It is not necessary to experience everything on the subject of multicultural, multiethnic, intercultural dynamics to be able to teach and train on the subject. However, my breadth and depth of experiences living, working and raising children in South America has given me both an experience based practical outlook and tremendous empathy for the challenges individuals, families and organizations face when wrestling with a new language, culture, and lifestyle.

Why Should I get Training on Intercultural Relationship Dynamics?
In the twenty first century few major cities are mono-cultural or mono-racial. Intercultural and bi racial relationships are becoming the norm. Most people don’t really understand the structural differences between individualist and collectivist cultures and how those differences play into so many cultural, ethnic and racial misunderstandings. Additionally, recent technology has facilitated research into how the brain reacts to similarity and differences and how the brain’s involuntary, unconscious, reactions exacerbate under stress. Attending trainings with others provides the opportunity to get some valuable information and to discuss your perspectives with peers.

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