Meet Florda Priftanji, April’s Featured Therapist
Every month, Council for Relationships features one of our staff therapists on the blog. This month’s Featured Therapist Florda Priftanji, LMFT, joined our staff in 2018. Get to know more about Florda in the interview below!
What do you consider to be the goal of therapy?
The overall goals of therapy depend on the needs of the client. The initial sessions aim to gain an understanding of the client’s concerns (e.g., relationships, anxiety, and depression) to best determine the goals of therapy. Afterward, the focus shifts to learning appropriate coping mechanisms and developing preventative care skills or habits. It is also important to improve one’s level of self-confidence and self-awareness in order to successfully maintain progress.
What is your background and what brought you to Council for Relationships?
I am currently a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a certified Foundational Theraplay Practitioner. For several years, I provided mobile therapy to children, adolescents, and parents. Working as a mobile therapist enhanced my understanding of family dynamics and strengthened my skills of guiding children towards improvement of their emotional intelligence. This included supporting children to voice their thoughts, identify their feelings, and regulate their emotions. I recently transitioned to work as a CFR staff therapist because I am passionate about working with families and couples.
What drew you to counseling as a career?
From a young age, I have been curious about the psychology of social interactions. As my knowledge of healthcare grew, I became more passionate about the advancement of mental health and decided to play a role in promoting and de-stigmatizing mental healthcare. As a therapist, it is rewarding to apply skills that help others positively improve their quality of life.
What is one piece of advice you would like to give people who may be struggling emotionally and would like to seek to counsel but may not be ready?
In general, I would recommend moving at your own pace. However, I would encourage working through any feelings of hesitation that might be due to unfamiliarity with therapy. Many clinicians, including myself, offer a free phone consultation, which could be helpful when initially seeking therapy or determining readiness.
Florda is now accepting new clients at our Wynnewood office. If you’re interested in therapy with Florda, request an appointment today!