Greg Horn Psychotherapy, PhD

My career decision to be a therapist developed from a series of relationships and experiences when I felt a therapeutic effect. For me, the effect was a shift where I was able to feel more genuinely accepting of myself and I no longer felt a need to maintain the various coping strategies and avoidance methods in which I was engaging. I wanted to be able to offer this experience to others. At the time, it seemed like a mystery, but I was motivated to learn how to create the conditions where transformational change was possible. I learned early that I was not the only person to be interested in this pursuit, as I “stood on the shoulders of giants.” I have gotten a lot of support in 20 years of training and clinical experience. While I believe there are common factors to good therapy, I have learned that I have benefited from certain privileges as well as had to face challenges others have not. As a result, I understand that each person's therapeutic conditions are specific and individualized.

In the intake session, I aim to develop a therapeutic relationship that is based on safety and trust and work to offer a nonjudgmental and accepting relational experience. I have a series of questions that help to identify the main concern and what the person believes are the primary contributing factors. I will be curious to know what happened that catalyzed the decision to pick up the phone and make an appointment. I aim to collaborate with clients to develop a working understanding that can explain the presenting concerns. This "mini-theory" will inform the treatment plan. I believe therapy is most effective when the therapist is authentic and honest, so I may offer a brief personal story, humor, or my immediate emotional reaction as relevant to the client's therapeutic plan. I typically do not assign homework unless someone feels compelled or motivated. Rather, my treatment plans tend to focus on the therapeutic process that we can engage in within the therapy sessions.