Dr. Steve K. D. Eichel received his B.A. from Columbia University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a licensed psychologist since 1982. After completing a clinical psychology internship at the Devereux Foundation, he worked for six years as a child and family psychologist at the Irving Schwartz Institute for Children & Youth, followed by several years as the director of child and family services for a large urban mental health center. He was then appointed consulting forensic psychologist to the Family Court and juvenile justice systems of Camden County (NJ). Returning to Pennsylvania, Dr. Eichel served as Clinical Director of the St. Francis Homes for Boys from 1989-1994, and directed the well-regarded clinical psychology internship (affiliated with Widener University) there. He also worked as a training consultant to the University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ and as a family therapist for a special project funded by the Montgomery County (PA) family court and juvenile justice system.
* How? By discovering hidden resources, feelings, dreams and talents. By learning new skills. The fact is, we are changing all the time. We believe therapy or counseling can accelerate the change process.
* Why? Because the old solutions aren't working anymore. Because we are older, more mature, and want to move on. Because it occurs to us that new clothes, or an expensive vacation, or a drink, or a different lover doesn't really change anything. Because we have that nagging fear that our children may not fulfill their potential, or that we are repeating an old, unwanted pattern in our relationships. Because we want more out of life. Because we want to feel better than we do now.
* When? When we feel truly respected, listened to and understood. When we feel like what we are doing, feeling, and talking about will not be condemned. And sometimes, when we feel there is no hope yet also believe in our hearts that there must be hope, somewhere. When we have that gut sense that now is the time to do something, and that we don't have to do it alone.
Respect. Reliability. Consistency. These are the cornerstones of our approach to treatment. We were originally trained in what is known as the "client-centered" approach to counseling and psychotherapy. We approach each client as a unique individual; our first objective is to see your world as you do.
As a result, we do not use "formulas" or "treatment manuals." We do not believe in a "one treatment fits all" approach that makes you feel like you are on an assembly line; we seek to discover what will work especially with you.
We do not push medications. We do not push cognitive-behavioral therapy on every client just because a managed care company believes this to be the only "cost-effective" approach. We don't report to case managers who enter details about your private life into a company computer. We provide truly private services.
We are deeply and sincerely moved by the therapeutic encounter. We have been around long enough to know that everyone engages in the change process in their own, unique way. We are used to dealing with difficult, "dark," and even shameful experiences and behaviors. To us, counseling and psychotherapy are an incredible journey, often yielding wonderful, unexpected results...sometimes right away, sometimes later.
We have been in practice in the same location since 1988. We are independent practitioners. This keeps our practice selective and small by some standards, but this has been our conscious choice. We are here for you.
Diseases Cured
Phobic Disorders, Stress, , Un Realistic Fear, Panic Disorders
