Linda T. Inatsuka, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Call Today:
(813) 985-6121
About Dr. Linda
Please take a moment to read this when considering working with me.
What is your educational and professional background?
I am a Florida State Licensed Psychologist (FL License #PY0005714). I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/Women's Studies from Pitzer College and my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Vermont. My professional experience has included positions at various agencies and organizations including university counseling centers, community mental health clinics, and medical and long-term care facilities. I have been in private practice since 1997. In addition to my clinical work, I have conducted in-service workshops/training programs and consultations to organizations on topics such as team-building, working with difficult clients, developing self-esteem, and effective communication strategies. I have also provided clinical supervision and taught courses as an adjunct faculty member at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Who are your clients exactly?
My clients are individuals and couples who are functioning relatively well in life (e.g., working, going to school/college, managing a household, running businesses, etc.) who have either been faced with a life situation (e.g., relationship/marital conflicts, job loss, financial stressors, work stress, etc.) that they are having difficulty coping with, or they may be feeling stuck in current or past events and want help in moving forward with their lives.
How are you different from other therapists?
I work with clients primarily using a collaborative, strength-based therapeutic approach called Solution-Focused Therapy. Additionally, I may incorporate cognitive-behavioral interventions. I focus on the client's present situation and examine their behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes that may be ineffective or maladaptive for the client and address the changes he/she can make in these areas. As such, my approach tends to be more directive and interactive. I believe that "doing is better than brooding."
Although I may be considered an "expert," I believe that clients generally have the ability to make the necessary changes in their lives. I feel that clients can find solutions to their problems by looking at "what's right," rather than focusing only on "what's wrong." My role as a therapist is to empower clients so that they can find their own solutions to the problems/issues they are struggling with and move forth.
What exactly is Solution-Focused Therapy, and what does it entail?
Solution-Focused Therapy is a type of "talk-therapy" that:
- Focuses on the client's present and future rather than the past. The past is addressed, though more as an understanding of "how you got to where you are today."
- Helps the client identify "what's working" in his/her life and to have the client do more of it.
- Facilitates change in the client by helping him/her find solutions rather than dwelling only on problems.
- Helps the client create a clear and concrete vision of what he/she wants in the future and developing goals and objectives to achieve this.
- Views the client as the "best expert" in changing his/her life.
- Focuses on the client's strengths.
What type of clients do you work best with, and what is expected of me if I become a client?
Clients who get the most out of working with me are those who are open, ready, and serious about making changes in their lives. They may not know exactly what those changes are, but they are willing to do something. Basically, they've come to a place where they're feeling, "That's it! I can't continue living my life like this." In other words, they are "sick and tired" of being "sick and tired" with how they are living.
As outlined above, Solution-Focused Therapy requires action on the part of the client. That is, as a client, to get the most out of therapy, you are encouraged to take an active role in making changes in your life. I will provide you with "homework assignments" (e.g., using strategies/suggestions in your daily routine, reading articles, journaling) to reinforce what we have discussed during the psychotherapy sessions. Remember, change occurs when you apply what you've discussed or learned during the actual therapy sessions in your life.
Who is this not for?
I am not the right therapist for everyone, and we may not be the right match . . . and that's okay. Also, even though you are visiting my website and looking for a therapist, you may not be ready for therapy . . . yet. And, that's okay, too.
I want to ensure that the clients I work with are individuals who are wanting to work with me. That means, they like how I approach their problems and are serious about making changes in their lives. My services may not be right for you if:
- You are in crisis or acute distress, in need of immediate treatment or care (e.g., suicidal/homicidal).
- You are mandated to be in therapy (e.g., by court or another agency).
- You are being "told"/given an "ultimatum" to start therapy by someone else.
- You are ambivalent about therapy, and looking to "see if" therapy will work for you.
- You are wanting a "quick fix" to your problems.
- You are not ready or able to make the financial or time commitment to be in therapy. (I recommend scheduling therapy sessions weekly or bi-weekly when you are starting. To get the most from therapy, I also recommend a commitment of 8-10 sessions.)
If any of the above describes you, I am not the right therapist for you. Again, I am not suitable for everyone. As a professional, it is my responsibility to know who I can and can not help.
***Please note that I do not work with children or adolescents.
How does this all work? What is the "process" of therapy?
Once we've completed the phone consultation (see below) and we've decided that we are a "good fit," we will schedule an initial appointment. During this session, I will ask you further questions regarding your current situation, past history, and set some initial goals and objectives. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions that you may have at that time. Thereafter, we will schedule therapy sessions on a regular (e.g., once a week or once every other week) basis. After a few sessions, I will do a brief re-assessment and address your progress in therapy thus far. You will also have an opportunity, at that time, to provide me with some feedback regarding your experience and how you feel therapy is progressing.
What kind of benefits can I expect from working with you?
The benefits of therapy will depend on your motivation, openness to make changes, and how committed you are to working through your difficulties or issues.
Some of the benefits of therapy reported by my clients include:
- Better understanding of their thoughts/attitudes/behavior patterns that may not be conducive for them.
- Clarity in realizing "the roots of our problems in order to properly work on correcting them."
- Increased self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Improved interactions in relationships.
- Better able to manage stress.
- Decrease in anxiety.
- Improved mood.
- Increased work productivity and performance.
In addition, here are some comments received from clients regarding their experience of having me as their therapist:
- "Non-judgemental."
- "Dr. Linda has the type of personality that makes it easy to talk about personal, intimate issues."
- "Provides feedback on how I'm doing."
Okay, what you've explained so far seems to be what I'm looking for in a therapist. How do we get started?
Once you've decided that you'd like to work with me, please contact me at (813) 985-6121 or via e-mail at info@liveempowered.com to set up a FREE phone consultation. Since my therapeutic approach may not be suitable for everyone or appropriate for certain issues, I feel it is best that we set up some time to discuss your concerns/issues that you would like to address in therapy, and how we can best proceed. This will help us to ensure that I am the right therapist for you.