About Dr. Norton
Dr. Norton earned her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology with Highest Honors from Alliant International University. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, also from Alliant, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of Virginia. She is licensed by The North Carolina Psychology Board as a Clinical Psychologist and Health Service Provider and is a Diplomate of the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She is a member of The American Psychological Association and Mensa.
Her clinical experience includes work in a psychiatric hospital in the inner city of Los Angeles, a family medical practice at the Advent Hospital in Glendale, a collegiate learning disabilities center in Pasadena, and work as a satellite therapist throughout the Los Angeles Unified School Districts. She has been practicing in Asheville, North Carolina since 2011, as a contract psychologist with HOPE Network, and now in private practice. She is a provider for the Advent Hospital Physician Wellness Program, as well as for the Western Carolina Medical Society Healthy Healer Program.
Dr. Norton has special clinical expertise with Anxiety, Stress Management, Panic Disorder, Depression, Attention Deficit Disorders, Autism Spectrum, Grief, Life Stage Challenges, Spiritual Growth, and Whole Person Health. Her therapeutic approach is tailored to each person, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness, and Lifestyle Medicine components.
About Therapy
Why therapy?
People come to therapy when they find something is keeping them from living the life they could live. For some this may be a struggle with depression, for others it may be anxious thoughts. Some are struggling in marriage, at work, as a parent, or in any number of other ways. Each person has a unique reason, but for all therapy offers the possibility of change.
What is therapy like?
Therapy is a confidential place to ask for help.
The “style” of therapy is determined largely by each person’s personality. Some people prefer very relational therapy, which means a lot of the change happens through relating to the therapist, feeling supported and gaining new insight and perspective. Other people like to approach change in a very “task” oriented way, which means therapy will focus on creating very specific adjustments to thoughts and behaviors, implementing adjustments between sessions, and tracking progress. Still others like a fusion of several types of therapy. Therapy is shaped to fit each person to make it most effective.
The therapy relationship is unique. The therapist is trained to help you understand yourself and others. Therapy is all about you, and all for you. Therapy is a place where you can talk about what it is like to be you without having to worry about how your thoughts and ideas sound to the therapist and how that might impact your relationship with the therapist (as is often the worry with family or friends). The therapist accepts you, values you, and cares for you.
How often will I come for therapy?
Therapy is generally scheduled once each week to allow time in between sessions to reflect on what was said in the session and to work on adjustments created in the session.
In some cases, where scheduling is difficult due to work, distance, or other circumstances, therapy is scheduled every other week, but often a few sessions are necessary at the beginning to establish goals and to create some traction from which to work.
As therapy comes to a close, it may be that the time between sessions is extended to a monthly or an as needed basis. In other cases therapy goals will have been met and no further sessions are scheduled. The goal is to make a plan that seems best for you.
How many appointments will I need?
The duration of therapy will be different for each person. For some it may be a brief process to problem solve something very specific. For others it may be a more lengthy process as they seek to understand themselves or relationships differently and to become more of who they want to be. Some may be working to change their circumstances, others may be working to cope better with circumstances they cannot change. Each therapy has it’s own path and it is never the same for any two people.
What is the first session like?
Many people who have never been to therapy before are hesitant and do not know what to expect in the first session. This is simply a time to get to know your therapist and for your therapist to learn as much about what you want to change as possible. Often there is not a lot of input from the therapist in the first session as the purpose is to gather information and create an informal set of therapy goals by the end of the meeting. While this can feel frustrating for some people who are eager to start change, it is important for the therapist to learn as much about you as possible to create the best direction for therapy.
This is also the time for you to experience spending time with the therapist. The relationship with the therapist is a very important part of therapy. It is important that you feel understood and cared for by the therapist and that you feel as comfortable with the therapist as you possibly can.
Listen to Dr. Norton
You can now schedule and change your appointments online.
Telehealth
Therapy is always most effective when it takes place in the therapist’s office. However, sometimes circumstances prevent an office visit. Whether it is a health condition that makes it difficult to come into the office, a challenging work schedule, a dependent who needs care at home, or travel, there are times where Telehealth offers the possibility of getting the care you need from a location outside the office. We are licensed through PsyPact to provide care in all PsyPact states.
Location
Suite 260
Asheville, NC 28803
You can call the office at 828-771-6258 or email [email protected]
You will find parking in the large parking lot behind the building or in any of the parking areas in Biltmore Park.
The office is on the second floor. You can take the elevator or the stairs. If you take the elevator, turn right on the hallway to find the office. Please wait by the hallway entrance door for the previous appointment to come to a close. If the office door is closed, a session is still in progress.