​Approach

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Dr. Bennett’s primary identification is as a family systems trained psychologist who specializes in understanding how family of origin influences shape an individual’s self-perception, beliefs and assumptions, and behavioral choices. Within this context, Dr. Bennett is an expert in developmental/cultural differences, personality styles, genetic and situationally driven mood difficulties, communication patterns and traumatic experiences/resolutions, using evidence-based therapeutic approaches for all of her assessment and treatment approaches. 

 

A cornerstone of Dr. Bennett's practice is teaching caregivers effective parenting practices utilizing an Authoritative Parenting approach. Decades of research underscore that this approach, above all others, produces both mental health and family harmony in childhood, leading to well-adjusted, accountable and productive young adults. Additional examples of Dr. Bennett's expertise include Disruptive Behavioral Disorders such as Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder in children/teens, as well as Anxiety and Mood Disorders of childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Her clinical skills are well-honed to intact, remarried, single parent/grandparent family units with both biological and adopted children. Other areas of specialization include teen/adult individual therapy and/or conjoint psychotherapy for couples experiencing conflictual situations and impaired communication in their relationships, along with those wishing to have a solid foundation of pre-martial therapy prior to their marriage.

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Typically, Dr. Bennett begins all clinical relationships by requesting at least two double sessions to quickly garner all the relevant current and background information regarding your situation and the therapeutic needs which should be addressed in priority order. This intensive intake process allows Dr. Bennett to efficiently formulate the most accurate diagnostic understanding and then match those needs with the most appropriate, progressive interventional/treatment plan. Thereafter, therapy is conducted either one or twice per week in single-session increments. The exception is couples or family therapy, along with the parent education training, which routinely occurs in double sessions to expedite the desired treatment outcomes in the most time sensitive manner.

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The therapeutic treatment plan is crafted collaboratively between Dr. Bennett and the patient(s), incorporating the three types of psychotherapy she has found most useful. The first is Interpersonal Therapy, which seeks to fully understand the emotional and life difficulties the patient is encountering, while working toward an action plan for improvement or restoration in these areas. The second is Family of Origin Therapy, which helps the patient better understand the psychological dynamics of the family they were raised in and the shaping influences their upbringing has had on their self-esteem, belief system, and coping skills, as well as their day-to-day behavioral functioning. The third is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy which focuses on challenging negative, self-defeating, or unhealthy beliefs uncovered in the first two phases of therapy, which are often contributing to uncomfortable and unproductive mood states and a diminished state of well being. In Dr. Bennett’s years of clinical experience, the careful integration of these three types of psychotherapy, well documented for their efficacy in the research, has proved to be the most satisfying approach for successful patient outcomes in treatment.

 

Telehealth 

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Telemental health visits offer a convenient, easy way for clients to access a range of psychotherapeutic services via phone or a secure video-conferencing system. While Dr. Bennett practiced in the traditional “brick and mortar” office for the first 38 years of her career, the 2020 pandemic has created the need for her to currently pivot to full-time telehealth services. While she was at first hesitant about losing the intimacy of in-office contact, she has found that the current technology quickly translates to patients having similar feelings of comfort and trust in an on-line relationship. Being licensed in both California and Nevada, she is able to serve patients in all of her areas of expertise in both states. Similarly, if patients who have residency in these two states travel often, Dr. Bennett is also allowed to continue the continuity of their care anywhere in the world during their time away. Telehealth also allows for the convenience of saved commute time, less childcare coverage for appointments, and flexibility to work within a wider range of appointment slots.​

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