About Grand Prix
Grand Prix Psychology is a fully remote, individual, outpatient provider of psychotherapy. Working with leaders, individuals in high-pressure positions, and other adults across the country, we deliver mental healthcare that focuses on wellbeing in both your personal and professional worlds. Founded by Dr. Kathryn Esquer, Grand Prix Psychology provides empirically-supported psychotherapy guided by years of experience in both clinical and industry settings.
Why “Grand Prix” Psychology?
We aren’t the type to lie. The inspiration for Grand Prix Psychology came from one source. Our founder, Dr. Esquer, loves Formula 1 racing. She feels that the complex mix of collaborative race day performance, impeccable engineering, and focus makes for not only a thrilling but inspiring viewing experience.
However, we believe our name goes beyond its origin. At Grand Prix, we seek to embody that full-throttle complexity. With our clients in the driver's seat, we work as their dedicated team, providing precision and focus with our own unique and comprehensive approach to psychotherapy. We recognize that life is full of sharp turns and unpredictable moments, so we strive to offer the skills needed for navigating these curves ahead.
What Will Therapy Look Like?
Psychotherapy is a diverse and complex treatment that can look very different from therapy to therapy. Unlike some other forms of treatment, we are unable to say what your specific therapy will look like. This is something you and your therapist will design together. However, at GPP, your approach will likely be based within some or all of the following evidence-based techniques/processes we have summarized below:
Cognitive: Our brains and ability to think critically have allowed us to thrive in antiquity and in our modern lives. However, these hyper-powered information processors can also lead to significant pain and problems, often completely unrelated to our overall “smartness”. We use cognitive-based techniques to help you identify the patterns of unrealistic or unproductive thinking that keep you stuck and stagnant. These unhelpful thoughts can be replaced or simply acknowledged, allowing yourself the tools to
Emotion-Focused: We use techniques to help you better identify your emotional states and better guide your behavior. This easier-said-than-done ability has been directly linked with one’s ability to manage difficult feelings and perform under stress. These skills can take many forms from reflecting emotions you may or may not be aware of to experiential exercises that enhance your ability to recognize what your body is telling you about where you are and how you are doing.
Coping Skills: While it is not our goal (nor could it be!) to stop you from feeling any sort of anger, anxiety, sadness, or other unwanted feelings, we can provide you with the skills to manage them when they do occur. This can not only keep you from causing more difficulties but can also help you understand and act on the important information this feeling may be telling you.
Executive Coaching: While often comprised of similar techniques as psychotherapy, our use of coaching skills originates directly from research focused on developing the capacities of leaders and executives. Through our experience in both clinical psychology and executive coaching/consulting, we seamlessly blend the two approaches to fit your goals.
Depth/Meaning: Ever feel as if there was always something just under the surface that keeps complicating your plans? Has it ever felt that no matter what external success (promotion, marriage, finances) there was something missing? Through exploration of both your past and present, we will work to uncover unhelpful patterns and long-held pain that may be taking a heavy toll on your well-being and taking you away from what’s important. Through difficult, but productive conversations and experiential exercises, we work to uncover what has been covered by the realities and business of life and a high degree of emotional pain.
Interpersonal: As social animals, human beings rely a lot on our relationships and connections with others. In your therapy, your therapist may focus on developing insight into how you relate to others and develop communication skills that can be flexibly applied in a variety of situations, regardless of whether it's in the workplace or outside of it.
Behavior/Exposure: This often makes readers worry. As if agreeing to therapy will force them to start skydiving or taking baths with spiders! Unlike what is shown in popular movies and tv, exposure is a research-backed component of many therapy approaches that is far less frightening. Whether you tend to avoid locations, public speaking, personal interactions, or different activities, you will always be in the driver's seat. You will never be asked to take part in any experience you cannot handle and will be able to provide the skills to facilitate this process!