Welcome to my webpage. My name is Dr. Walter Spear. I am a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst working with adults and adolescents.
I share Eleanor Roosevelt‘s statement above because I feel it describes my goal when working with you . I see my practice as a safe place and a unique environment where you can explore your life and reach out eagerly and without fear. I have created this website to share with you information about my practice, about psychotherapy as a whole, and about the struggles many of us have to face in our lifetime.
Life Has Problems
Being human, we all have problems to solve. They can be specific - a relationship, a job, thoughts that won’t go away, a death, or a marriage, or they could be more ambiguous - a vague feeling that something is wrong, or, perhaps, it is as simple and as complex as the need to make sense of life.
About Psychotherapy
Even when we are clear about our problems, the solutions are often elusive - dealing with them requires compassionate attention ,steadfast effort and care. Psychotherapy gives you a chance to delve into your complexity , depth and sufferings in your interaction with another person - a professional , a witness whose presence makes your struggle bearable
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common issues for most people. At times we don’t know why we feel anxious but we do. Other times , there is a real reason that is making us anxious : fear of failure ,being overwhelmed with life , fear of losing someone , or being in a world that leaves you dumbfounded. The reasons are endless.
Sadness and Depression
Another common problem for many people is sadness. You may be waking up every morning with pain in your heart. Perhaps during the day there are moments when the pain is so great you feel you are about to cry . Or maybe nothing brings you joy . You may be very sad because you lost someone, you're feeling lonely or you’re facing a difficulty in life that you did not anticipate.
Covid-19
At this time, given what we have been through this past year, many are faced with severe pain, loss, and insecurity. All of our lives have changed. We wear masks. We are in isolation. Many have trauma. More people have died in United States in one year than died in all of World War II. We need to talk to express our grief, confusion, and fear. We need someone to listen, to respond, and to empathize. That’s what therapy is about, and that’s what I’m here for.
Difficult Relationships
You may be in a relationship with a partner, a spouse, a friend, a coworker or a boss that brings you much anguish, angers you or is just a constant frustration. Can I get better? Should I leave? Am I in the wrong? Can I have a fulfilling life? The list goes on and on and all of these issues feel all the more desperate when you feel all alone in dealing with them . In psychotherapy you are not alone.
My Approach
I do not believe in one-size-fits- all psychotherapy. I work within several psychotherapeutic modalities that I adapt depending on my client's frame of reference, needs and character . I am trained in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychology, client centered therapy and others. Whatever the situation, I will work with you to understand the causes of your symptoms and to formulate the best approach to dealing with them.
My Clients
Some of my clients come to me because they are lost and need guidance on how to have a fulfilling life. Others are struggling with a specific issue such as relentless, free-floating anxiety, a behavior that is disrupting their life, an unfulfilling relationship, troubles as a parent or struggles at work or in their social lives.
I work from the belief that each of us is doing his or her utmost to be the best human being he or she can be. We all want to live in peace and feel safe. We want to wake up each morning looking forward to what comes next. My goal is to help you reach this state of mind.
I’m also aware then many clients have difficulty fitting therapy into their work and family schedules. I am very flexible about having appointments early in the morning, later in the evening or whenever is necessary for you to do the work you need to do.