About Dr. Elizabeth Hamlin
Do psychiatrists really do therapy?
What kind of psychotherapy do you practice?
I think that every therapist ultimately “mixes and matches” from a few different psychotherapeutic schools. Primarily, however, I practice psychodynamic psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy related to psychoanalysis. One of the differences between this type of therapy and other kinds, such as CBT or supportive psychotherapy, is that I approach our sessions with the idea that you are the expert of your own experience. I am not in a positon to tell you what to do, though I will offer suggestions if you ask for them or if I feel they are pressing to offer. I focus both on what is happening in the here-and-now and on what has happened in the past, and how these two pieces connect. In this way, I feel like I am better able to help you recognize what is possible for the future and to live more intentionally and freely.
Will you prescribe medications?
Do you accept insurance?
Are you the right therapist for me?
What can I expect when I meet with you?
During our first few sessions, I will ask you questions to find out more about what is bringing you to therapy. I will also ask you questions about your past, and about other important things in your life. We will talk about medication, and we will jointly decide whether medication is right for you, and, if so, which ones. After our first few meetings, our sessions will be more driven by what you want to discuss. I will ask fewer questions, and I may talk less, though I will still be emotionally present and responsive.
When will I feel better?
Patients often come to see me when they have dealt with a serious problem for a long time. Often, people do experience a sense of relief to find someone to whom they can talk openly and with whom they can feel comfortable. However, it sometimes takes a while for problems that have been present for a long time—and that are often present in multiple areas in a person’s life—to resolve. Additionally, sometimes the experience of facing the pain directly can be distressing, though this is usually made better by the experience of doing it in therapy, rather than alone. Although I cannot predict an exact time of when symptoms will alleviate, I have found that patients usually feel more fulfilled and content with their lives after working with me.
How do I get started?
Please contact me through this website, through my email at drelizabethhamlin@gmail.com, or by phone at 262-354-5543. I will look forward to speaking with you.