NAOMI JUDITH DAVIDSON, LCSW

My areas of expertise include treatment of anxiety and depression, panic, sleep and eating difficulties, career challenges and decisions, bereavement, relationship crises around communication, infidelity, break-up, separation and divorce, as well as gay and lesbian issues.

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People often ask: “what is the difference between psychotherapy and coaching?”  Whereas, psychotherapy aims to identify underlying patterns with exploration and inquiry, coaching offers a more directive approach and often involves intensive examination of one particular issue. Because coaching is not considered a health care service and does not involve diagnosis and therapeutic care, I am able to offer my coaching services throughout the US and internationally. Please note that my coaching services are not reimbursable by insurance.

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My style combines respect, humor and pragmatism with a strong effort to establish a safe, reflective environment in which frank discussion can occur.  With a focus on the unique vulnerabilities and gifts of each person, we examine how the demands of family, career, and relationships interrelate with the particular issues that brought about the need for therapeutic treatment or coaching.

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People usually seek treatment during a time of crisis in their lives. When the crisis subsides, and problems stemming from the crisis are largely resolved, some feel that they have completed the work they came to do. Others continue the journey to better understand the underlying issues which brought them to the crisis moment. This exploration can be a moving experience, opening up fundamental aspects of the self which have not been fully known or processed before.  A deeper therapeutic journey often leads to living with less turmoil and greater happiness.

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At times, my consultative role is to help people understand more clearly what they truly want and need.  Some people have seen many therapists without success.  Others have had an experience in therapy that was positive until their therapist became disapproving and reluctant to end the treatment, even after much had been accomplished.  Others have been raised to believe that one should be able to solve their own problems without the assistance of a therapist, and feel self-critical for pursuing professional help.  In these instances, more than one consultation may be necessary to help people get a better understanding of my view of the therapeutic process, to see if it is right for them, and to clarify what they are comfortable working on.

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While I tend to work on a long term basis, I do some short term work, as well. I often see people once a week and sometimes more frequently, when we both agree that this could be beneficial to the therapy.

Consultation provides a safe space to assess and formulate goals, and to determine that we are a good match to pursue the therapeutic work. When this has been established, we can then go forward. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate.