Areas of Expertise
Communication
Naomi Greenwood is very interactive with clients. Psychotherapy is a
team effort and clients have a responsibility to bring up issues that
they wish to resolve. Relationship issues can be greatly improved with
techniques and strategies for effective and accurate listening,
hearing, and understanding. Sessions emphasize the importance and
practice of productive communication. Naomi focuses on the importance
of empathy, self -respect, respect of the other person(s) and positive
use of language. Clients are asked to practice techniques between
sessions in order to become more familiar and comfortable with new ways
of approaching one another. Discussion of conflicts and methods of
conflict resolution often lead to fewer conflicts and easier problem
solving.
Sexual Intimacy
Many people are surprised to learn that millions of others have sexual
intimacy difficulties. Over the years, Naomi has worked successfully
with dozens of individuals and couples struggling with their sexual
functioning and intimacy. In addition to improving and clarifying
communication issues which may inhibit intimacy, she also teaches
specific behavioral techniques to be practiced privately at home and
discussed in subsequent sessions.
Some areas of sexual dysfunction which respond well to treatment
include: discrepancy of desire, vaginismus (involuntary tightening of
the pubocoxygeal muscle in the vagina), dyspareunia (pain with
intercourse), premature or delayed ejaculation.
Sexual Abuse
Adult survivors, adults who have been sexually abused as children or
adolescents, often find their intimate lives affected by their
unresolved feelings about the abuse. Dealing with the past trauma and
putting it in the past allows adults to become comfortable and
satisfied with their own sexuality and intimacy with a partner. Naomi
works with clients to accomplish this through a variety of approaches
including cognitive, behavioral and psychodynamic techniques. A major
benefit is an enhanced sense of self-esteem and confidence.
Life Transitions
Change is difficult for most people. Some feel unable to move forward
or make important life decisions during these times. Transition may be
by choice or chance. Either way, there can be stress and anxiety or
even depression accompanying it. Transitions may include shifts from
childhood to adolescence, leaving home, finding a career, changes in
careers, changes in marital status, parenthood and personal losses.
Discussing such matters with an objective therapist can ease the
transitions and help the client feel more confident and secure. Naomi
provides guidance to clarify difficult situations and remove roadblocks
to decisions.
Couple and Marital Issues
Therapy sessions are designed to help couples understand one another
more clearly and fully. The intention is to move forward and strengthen
the relationship rather than rehash the same disagreements. Clashes may
be the result of stylistic or personal differences in expectations or
world view. Recognizing one’s own expectations and views as well
as one’s partner's can make harmonious living more possible.
Challenges to relationships, such as affairs, illness, or losses may
create tensions, anger, distress, depression or anxiety. It is
important for each partner to have a safe place to discuss such matters
and find ways to resolve, or at least cope with these emotions. If
relationships cannot continue, Naomi is there to help couples come to
terms with what makes sense for their particular relationship.
Separation & Divorce
To stay married or to separate and divorce is an extremely difficult,
personal decision. There are times when it is very difficult for
couples to decide what is in their best interest. Naomi has met with
many couples to consider their options and choose the path that makes
the most sense for them. Marital counseling can help couples strengthen
a relationship. It can also help couples determine whether a
relationship should continue. When it should not, Naomi can help them
part in the most civilized, least damaging way, especially if children
are involved. Some of the sessions may then focus on how to
approach the children and other family members. Much of this is related
to the ages of the children and what the home atmosphere has been like
for everyone. Occasionally, couples are at odds, with one partner
wishing to preserve the marriage and the other partner choosing to end
it. Dealing with such a significant conflict is quite painful. When
couples choose to work on the conflict, the process can be less
destructive to one another and healthier for the children.
Remarriage
When one or both partners remarry, issues emerge for the extended
families and especially for children. Sometimes there is the
“blended” family where children from different spouses are
expected to live together harmoniously. This can be quite complicated.
What helps the most is clear, positive communication between the
married partners, the former spouses and between adults and children.
Naomi has worked with various configurations of families to clarify and
improve communication skills, and to help them deal with strong
emotions and changes in family life.
Medical Illness Including Cancer
Illness can be devastating to both the patient and caregivers. Patients
can often benefit from learning relaxation techniques and imagery to
help manage pain or other difficulties. Sometimes there is a great deal
of anticipatory anxiety which can be alleviated through talking and
behavioral strategies. Emotional distress, issues of loss of
functioning, and imminent death or dying affect not only the patient,
but also families and caregivers. Psychotherapy sessions with Naomi are
a safe place to talk about a variety of reactions and concerns without
burdening anyone.
Supervision of Clinicians
Naomi is a certified supervisor available to clinicians who must meet
supervision requirements for state licensing. She has years of
experience supervising other clinicians and social work students. With
her many years of experience as a practitioner herself, she is an
excellent resource for those consulting about complex cases.
Supervision is available individually or in small groups.