My Approach

In general, my theoretical background and approach are fairly eclectic, but certainly influenced by cognitive-behavioral, family systems, communications theory, and psychodynamic perspectives. I try to orient my therapy toward the goals you set, and tend to be fairly pragmatic in approach, most often utilizing a brief-therapy orientation. I recognize that there are individuals who have chronic conditions or ongoing circumstances that require longer term therapy, and I gladly accommodate their needs as well.

The actual mechanics of my sessions vary according to the individual being seen, of course. Initial sessions are often augmented by using behavioral or symptom checklists in an effort to most efficiently learn about my clients and their goals for therapy. With children and adolescents, I will frequently utilize informal psychological assessment techniques to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning. More formal psychological testing batteries may be used if the situation warrants to clarify the diagnostic picture.

For children, I will most frequently meet with the parents without the child for the first session. In subsequent weeks, I will likely meet individually with the child, before having a follow-up with the parents to discuss my impressions and recommendations. With adolescents, I usually ask that parents accompany their child to the first visit, but often follow this with some individual sessions with the adolescent. Efforts are made to give parents periodic feedback regarding treatment progress without violating client confidentiality and trust. There are many times when younger children are having behavioral issues where the focus will be more on assisting the parents with behavior management techniques than doing therapy with the child. In other circumstances, play therapy with the child may be more appropriate.

Despite the variation in intervention techniques and approaches which I may use, one constant is my belief in the importance of the relationship between therapist and client in fostering positive growth and change. As such, I find it most gratifying when my clients refer friends or family to me, or resume therapy themselves in the future when facing new situations or issues which they wish to address.

Karl F. Neumann, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
1700 Alma Drive Ste. 205
Plano, TX 75075

Email: drkarlneumann@gmail.com

Phone: 972-509-2611 x1
Fax: 972-578-5742