Looking for A Compatible Therapist?

Find One Who Knows How to Harmonize!

Compatibility is a wonderful thing.  My American Heritage Dictionary refers to it as “harmony,” which itself is defined as “a pleasing combination of parts or elements.”  I was happy to find these definitions, because I sometimes worry that both therapists and clients think they have to find someone as similar to themselves as possible in order to establish a good working relationship. Actually, harmony could not exist without the blending of differences in order to create itself.  I think this is a concept the whole world needs to remember right now, and therapists are in a unique position to be the standard.

As therapists, we are trained in developing the ability to discover the “common ground” of compatibility on which to establish our therapeutic alliance with our clients.  Each client literally brings a whole new world into our offices, formed by their unique perceptions, experiences, and patterns.  Continually expanding our own subjective experience of “being” in order to understand and work with this amazing diversity is what keeps our work as clinicians alive with curiosity and wonder.  It is what prevents burn-out.   Further, we as therapists, each in our own way, light the path towards creating harmony for all whose lives we touch.

Therefore, I choose not to have a particular niche, or specialty that I  focus on, although I’m aware that “marketing experts” encourage specialization.  Unless I can see that a client would be best served by a therapist who does specialize, I welcome them all.  I cherish the uniqueness that each client brings to my office, and the harmonizing skills I develop through working with them!  Building a bridge from my world to theirs enriches my life, and is profoundly healing for us both.  Every bridge of harmony, however small, is an important contribution to the human family now living on the planet we call home.  So no matter who you are, I am your sister.  It’s my job to learn to understand you.  I embrace it, and offer you my hand.

Judith Dagley Flaherty, LMFT, has been harmonizing in private practice in Los Angeles.for over fifteen years.  She also presents workshops on creating positive change throughout the L.A. area.  To learn more about her work, visit www.judithdagleyflahertylmft.com. She can be reached at 310.397.5116 or judithdagley@aol.com