Approach
“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction can be the biggest step of your life.”
I am a seasoned therapist with over 25 years' experience and provide both short and long-term individual psychotherapy to young adults, adults and seniors. I’m dedicated to working collaboratively to resolve what gets in the way of you leading your best life. My approach is tailored to meet the needs of each unique person. My style is interactive, engaging, warm, and direct.
My practice is psychodynamically informed; this means that treatment focuses on both current symptoms as well as the contributing underlying root causes . Many people with whom I work with express that this deeper level of treatment leads to lasting change versus temporary symptom relief. I also draw from other theoretical models, incorporating Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment Theory.
I am a trained therapist in the treatment of Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN). An often invisible but powerful influence of a parent’s failure to respond sufficiently to a child’s emotional needs, Childhood Emotional Neglect can lead to feeling disconnected, unfulfilled or empty. As an adult, there may be a sense that something is wrong, but a lack of clarity about what that is.
Psychodynamic Approach
This orientation looks about how one’s early life experiences affect’s one current feelings and symptoms. Oftentimes when one finds oneself repeatedly caught in unhealthy patterns, this approach can work to gain insight that leads to meaningful change.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness enables one to take the necessary quiet time — a pause needed to give the necessary space first to process one’s experiences and then to choose responses, as opposed to habitually reacting in ways that may be familiar but are ultimately not satisfying.
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment
This approach is useful in providing tools and strategies to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, and supports the development of coping strategies to relieve symptoms. It focuses on learning new ways of thinking about the problem.
Attachment Theory
Understanding how an individual's current struggles may be related to how emotionally secure he or she felt in relationships with early primary caretakers. This theory helps to understand how one’s early life experience contributes to current relationship issues with self and others.
I have known Joyce Davis since the early 1990s when she came to work for us as a therapist for Psychotherapy Associates of North Reading. I have always been very impressed with Joyce's clinical skills, empathy and professional integrity. I highly recommend her for anyone seeking counseling from an outstanding, seasoned therapist.
Rick Kaufman, LICSW
Co-Director, Psychotherapy Associates of North Reading