My Approach to Individual Therapy

As a therapist, I have a goal of providing culturally sensitive and mindfully-based therapy to individuals and couples who desire greater balance in their life and in relationships.  To meet my goal I employ an integrative approach to therapy with special emphasis on teaching clients mindfulness-based strategies for managing anxious thinking patterns, strong emotions, and unhealthy patterns of living.  I take an integrative approach to therapy because scientific research demonstrates that many different approaches are effective in the treatment of mental health concerns and I wish to be as effective as possible with diverse clients.  

Taking an integrative approach allows me to provide therapy from a culturally competent framework, which includes an acceptance of the diverse cultural backgrounds and worldviews of my clients. An integrative approach to therapy also recognizes that individuals change in unique ways and therapy should match the needs and learning style of my client. For example, some clients benefit greatly from exploring past experiences as a way to gain insight into current functioning. Other clients show progress by identifying and changing thinking patterns that lead to fears or "what if's" about the future.  For another set of clients, therapy might represent a place to tell their story and be held accountable to make changes they have wanted to make for years.  Because mindfulness is a core component of my approach to therapy I invite you to review the page of this site entitled, "What is Mindfulness?." 


My Approach to Couples Therapy

I enjoy working with couples.  Couples therapy gives me the opportunity to work with individuals who  know something is not working in their relationship and want to take action.  The obstacles couples face vary but  some general obstacles in intimate relationships include emotional distancing by partners, unhealthy behavior getting in the way of intimacy, lack of communication, mistrust or jealousy, emotional lashing out, and feelings of inequality regarding work roles or childcare responsibilities.  My approach to couples therapy includes joining the couple as both a listener and coach.  In fact, to be an effective couples therapist. I believe I must UNDERSTAND what has happened in the past, what is happening presently, and what each partner is concerned about for the future.  I also believe couples therapy is effective when each partner develops an understanding of their contribution to the problem(s).  Furthermore, I rarely view the problem(s)  in couples therapy to be associated with only one partner's behavior, attitude, or emotions.  

Couples therapy parallels individual therapy in terms of setting goals and asking for a commitment from each partner to work toward achieving goals.  To this end, I have a policy of viewing the couple as my "client" and expect that each partner attend a session in order to hold that session.  This policy ensures that both partners are committed to therapy and that a decision to end couples therapy by one partner is discussed with the other partner in the context of a therapy session. Finally,  it is very important that prospective clients know that I take an affirmative stance when working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT) couples.  As someone who is committed to social justice, my office is considered a "SAFE ZONE" for LGBT couples. 

The Mindful Journey, PLLC
Jonathan Ravarino, PhD, LCSW
201 South. 1460 East., Rm 426
Salt Lake City, UT 84112