Psychotheraphy
Psychotherapy allows one to recognize how problems are interconnected to past and present contexts. Resolution is understanding this pattern and being empowered to change for the better and find peace for oneself.
Dr. Silvestri is available for individual, couple and family therapy. He also conducts workshops, mentoring, clinical supervision, and staff development on the topics of conflict resolution, communication skills, forgiveness, and stress management for schools, business and community groups (see “my personal approach to psychotherapy” at the above tab).
Personal Approach
I am often asked how I personally go about being a Family Therapist. This is an important question, which I respect, especially when someone is interested in entering a therapeutic relationship.
Family Therapists come from many different backgrounds and use various treatment methods; however, they do share a common theme of seeing an individual’s problem through relationships within the family and community. My primary training was in an interdisciplinary program of Anthropology, Psychology and Education (Family and Community Studies, Columbia University). I have studied at the Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy and the Family Institute of New Jersey. I am also an active student of Aikido (a martial art dedicated to peace and harmony) and Certified Classical Homeopath (see homeopathicdirectory.com). These experiences have allowed me to continue to grow and learn about human dynamics through the lens of culture and communication.
I approach my role as a therapist by focusing on contexts from which conflict evolves and where resolution is possible. Contexts are situational environments that allow for more holistic and wider descriptions of actions rather than narrow cause and effect meanings. Looking at things in context diffuses blame and takes the burden off of individuals as being the source of a problem. It is from these contexts of life that we learn to develop our character.
I begin my involvement with families and individuals by gathering information through the use of a Genogram. This is a family tree that depicts one’s background through stories and themes. It helps with understanding the connected patterns that describe one’s world. This allows me to join with those I am working with by giving respect to perceptions that construct the meaning of their problems. From this beginning, I carefully help choose the parts and themes to be used as a focus for reframing identified problems into solutions through a shared collaboration.
My ongoing role is to be emphatically involved with the family system and still simultaneously step outside to see the wider patterns that maintain and perpetuate dysfunctional symptoms. I have encountered and worked with symptoms that range from couple/marital conflict, parent/child issues, school problems, depression, stress disorders, substance abuse and various other illnesses. I use various educational tools, homeopathy, and other community resources that match needs and allow individuals to change through their own strengths. I sensitively integrate ethnic, race, gender, diversity and class backgrounds into strategies to resolve recognized problems.