My Approach Main | Richard Levine, MFT

My Approach

My life experience and background as a Therapist is somewhat eclectic and includes both traditional and alternative forms of healing.

I employ a variety of traditional therapeutic techniques from various theoretical orientations including Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Humanistic, Existential, and Gestalt therapy.

The more alternative techniques I employ include Reichian Breathing, Reiki, Guided Imagery, Meditative/Contemplative Practices, and Therapeutic Hypnosis.

Research shows that the most important key to successful therapy is found in the connected, trusting relationship that develops between client and therapist. That is why, first and foremost, I seek to provide a safe, supportive and caring environment where you can experience being listened to and feel fully heard and fully understood.

Intervention Samples

Here is a sampling of the types of modalities and interventions that you could experience in a session:

Examining your past and its connection to your present difficulties using contemporary psychodynamic principles;
Engaging in a cognitive restructuring in which you examine your erroneous beliefs and attitudes and replace negative self talk with more positive, life affirming inner dialogue;
Intuiting energy blockages in your emotional body which may utilize Reichian Breathing or Reiki to assist in opening those blockages;
Therapeutic Hypnosis or Gestalt empty chair work to assist in healing and bringing closure to former or current relationships, or to support you in re-parenting any wounds to your inner child;
Guided imagery and meditative or contemplative practices to gently guide you through layers of emotion into a direct experience of your true Self.

Stages of Unfolding

As our work together progresses, you will come to recognize certain stages in your unfolding process. These stages include:

Uncovering
Releasing
Purifying
Integrating
Awakening
Discerning
Choosing
Serving
Deepening

As the process evolves, our effort will be focused on developing the ability to quiet your mind and open your heart so that your own inner guidance can be discerned for every life decision. That is why I call this work Awakening the Inner Heart. It facilitates the revelation of your true Self so that your life’s purpose can be identified and fulfilled.

When the Inner Heart (the true Self) is fully awakened, you no longer need the guidance of any external therapist, teacher or other authority figure to help direct your life. You are now no longer swimming upstream but rather allowing yourself to flow with the current of Life itself, a current that benevolently supports you in your continued deepening.

In my experience, no amount of worldly riches, power or position can match the joy, peace and fulfillment that stems from knowing the true Self!