| CHRISTIAN WOLFF, Psy.A Licensed Psychologist Associate/Consultant |
I provide a variety of psychological services including psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, and
teaching.
What's the difference?
To some extent, there is no difference. These are just different words to describe the same thing. On the
other hand, there are some differences, and it may be helpful for you to know about them.
One way these services may be seen as different is to view them on a continuum. That is, with
psychotherapy being the most personal, counseling less personal, and teaching, the least personal. Another
way to view this continuum is in terms of the problems being addressed. Psychotherapy may be the focus
of choice when there are issues of mental health or illness Counseling may be the most appropriate when
there are serious concerns, but the primary concerns are not concerns about one's actual mental health.
Counseling is often sought during times of significant life changes and transitions. Coaching more often than
not, involves the pursuit of specific goals which may or may not have arisen out of any kind of problem.
Often, a person seeking coaching has taken care of most of their significant problems and are striving
toward personal excellence. Finally, teaching is primarily concerned with education and the conveyance of
information from someone who knows a particular thing to someone who wishes to learn.
It is very likely that each of these will be part of the service you receive when you meet with a counselor or
a therapist. It is important to keep in mind, however, that some "counselors" are not qualified to provide
you with each of these levels of service. If your needs are beyond that which the counselor or therapist is
qualified to help you with, you should seek additional or alternative services.
The following are some examples of some of the services I provide in Portland and the needs
they are designed to address:
Psychological Services & Treatment: For the treatment of Depression, Anxiety & Panic Disorders,
Manic Depression (also known as Bipolar Disorder), Addictions, Schizophrenia & other Psychoses,
Characterological Problems (Personality Disorders), Multiple Personality Disorder (Dissociative Identity
Disorder), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Somatoform & Facticious Disorders, and other
psychiatric disorders.
Counseling Services: For dealing with grief & loss, marital difficulties, relationship concerns, life
changes, job stress, gender issues, family conflict, social problems, spiritual and political issues, or other
matters of concern.
Coaching Services: For working on self improvement, self-discipline, and the pursuit of personal
excellence. This is generally for people who know what they want but need some help with
encouragement, keeping on track, and believing in themselves.
Teaching Services: For learning new skills and developing new abilities. There are two main types of
teaching that I do. One is the teaching of specific skills such as communication skills, social skills, memory
skills, negotiation skills, relaxation skills, life-balance skills, etc. The other is teaching people "how to
learn." I believe if people know how to learn, most people can learn anything.
Additional services I provide:
I also provide psychological evaluations, clinical supervision, and mediation services and am
available to provide consultation to business, schools, and community organizations.
Related services which I do not provide:
I do not prescribe medications. If and when appropriate, I will make referrals to a psychiatrist,
psychiatric nurse practitioner, naturopathic physician or other healthcare provider who is licensed to
prescribe medications and will work closely with them (with your permission) to coordinate care.
I generally do not work directly with young children as a primary focus. This has not been a
primary focus in my training. I am however willing to work with young children in the context of a family
system and am more than happy to consult with caregivers on any matters they may have concerning the
children in their charge.
The chemical dependency treatment I provide is generally within the context of mental health
and problems-in-living. My approach is likely to vary considerably from many of the mainstream chemical
dependency treatment services found in the community. For my general views on addiction click here.
You may also wish to visit my pages on Buddhism & Buddhist Psychology.
I am reluctant to work with those who are being pressured into treatment by family members or by
the courts. It is my belief that the person seeking treatment needs to choose to be in treatment. If you are
being told that you need to be in therapy in order to meet conditions of some benefit you are receiving, to
meet the requirements of a court order, or to respond to pressure from an employer or family members, I
may be able to help you, but we will need to be certain to focus on what you want and what you are
willing to do in therapy.
Other professionals you may wish to consider involving in your treatment (but this is up to you):
Clergy person (priest, minister, or other spiritual counselor)
Medical person (family doctor, psychiatrist, naturopathic physician, etc.)
Community persons (employers, attorneys, social service providers, etc.)
Other therapists (former therapists, chemical dependency therapist, marital therapist, etc)
You may also wish to involve friends or family.
teaching.
What's the difference?
To some extent, there is no difference. These are just different words to describe the same thing. On the
other hand, there are some differences, and it may be helpful for you to know about them.
One way these services may be seen as different is to view them on a continuum. That is, with
psychotherapy being the most personal, counseling less personal, and teaching, the least personal. Another
way to view this continuum is in terms of the problems being addressed. Psychotherapy may be the focus
of choice when there are issues of mental health or illness Counseling may be the most appropriate when
there are serious concerns, but the primary concerns are not concerns about one's actual mental health.
Counseling is often sought during times of significant life changes and transitions. Coaching more often than
not, involves the pursuit of specific goals which may or may not have arisen out of any kind of problem.
Often, a person seeking coaching has taken care of most of their significant problems and are striving
toward personal excellence. Finally, teaching is primarily concerned with education and the conveyance of
information from someone who knows a particular thing to someone who wishes to learn.
It is very likely that each of these will be part of the service you receive when you meet with a counselor or
a therapist. It is important to keep in mind, however, that some "counselors" are not qualified to provide
you with each of these levels of service. If your needs are beyond that which the counselor or therapist is
qualified to help you with, you should seek additional or alternative services.
The following are some examples of some of the services I provide in Portland and the needs
they are designed to address:
Psychological Services & Treatment: For the treatment of Depression, Anxiety & Panic Disorders,
Manic Depression (also known as Bipolar Disorder), Addictions, Schizophrenia & other Psychoses,
Characterological Problems (Personality Disorders), Multiple Personality Disorder (Dissociative Identity
Disorder), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Somatoform & Facticious Disorders, and other
psychiatric disorders.
Counseling Services: For dealing with grief & loss, marital difficulties, relationship concerns, life
changes, job stress, gender issues, family conflict, social problems, spiritual and political issues, or other
matters of concern.
Coaching Services: For working on self improvement, self-discipline, and the pursuit of personal
excellence. This is generally for people who know what they want but need some help with
encouragement, keeping on track, and believing in themselves.
Teaching Services: For learning new skills and developing new abilities. There are two main types of
teaching that I do. One is the teaching of specific skills such as communication skills, social skills, memory
skills, negotiation skills, relaxation skills, life-balance skills, etc. The other is teaching people "how to
learn." I believe if people know how to learn, most people can learn anything.
Additional services I provide:
I also provide psychological evaluations, clinical supervision, and mediation services and am
available to provide consultation to business, schools, and community organizations.
Related services which I do not provide:
I do not prescribe medications. If and when appropriate, I will make referrals to a psychiatrist,
psychiatric nurse practitioner, naturopathic physician or other healthcare provider who is licensed to
prescribe medications and will work closely with them (with your permission) to coordinate care.
I generally do not work directly with young children as a primary focus. This has not been a
primary focus in my training. I am however willing to work with young children in the context of a family
system and am more than happy to consult with caregivers on any matters they may have concerning the
children in their charge.
The chemical dependency treatment I provide is generally within the context of mental health
and problems-in-living. My approach is likely to vary considerably from many of the mainstream chemical
dependency treatment services found in the community. For my general views on addiction click here.
You may also wish to visit my pages on Buddhism & Buddhist Psychology.
I am reluctant to work with those who are being pressured into treatment by family members or by
the courts. It is my belief that the person seeking treatment needs to choose to be in treatment. If you are
being told that you need to be in therapy in order to meet conditions of some benefit you are receiving, to
meet the requirements of a court order, or to respond to pressure from an employer or family members, I
may be able to help you, but we will need to be certain to focus on what you want and what you are
willing to do in therapy.
Other professionals you may wish to consider involving in your treatment (but this is up to you):
Clergy person (priest, minister, or other spiritual counselor)
Medical person (family doctor, psychiatrist, naturopathic physician, etc.)
Community persons (employers, attorneys, social service providers, etc.)
Other therapists (former therapists, chemical dependency therapist, marital therapist, etc)
You may also wish to involve friends or family.
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