I have been in therapy before, more than once. It changed my life and it can change yours. I entered the field in order to share with others the life-changing power of being in therapy, learning about oneself, and changing one’s way of interacting with the world. I get excited when I client comes in and reports a change they made. Here’s a thought: If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?
My purpose is to provide you with the highest quality psychotherapy in order to help you achieve your goals in therapy and in life. I will gently guide you to recognize your destructive or stuck patterns so you can take your life where you want it to go. My approach is down to earth, direct, and caring. I am most often described as warm, analytical, and straight-talking.
My process is to create the environment you need for your exploration process. The approach is fun because you will discover what it is that you need and want. It is challenging because you will look at your part in your outcomes.
My treatment approaches are based on sound scientific principles of human behavior and established methods of effective psychotherapy. I use mindfulness techniques (awareness), Gestalt therapy (an here-and-now Somatic approach), psychodynamic (inner child), cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other techniques.
I do not follow therapy trends and fads. I read social science, learn about advancements, acquire new skills, and use approaches that are proven effective.
I do not follow cultural fads. My problem-solving is practical, sensible, steady, and informed by sound principles of social science. I combine common sense, logic, frankness, life experience and wisdom.
I have no political agenda in session. Neutrality and refraining from personal agenda is the disciplined, well-trained, time-honored approach to any good psychotherapist.
I am coming from a Christian world view. My understanding of people, human nature, character qualities, drives and desires, and ethics is informed by Christian principles. I believe in individual responsibility, self-determination and personal freedom. I do not push my faith onto others. For some, their spiritual life has been a source of pain, abuse or trauma. If you wish to work on that, we can. For others, their spiritual life is a source of support. If so, we can use that in your healing process if you want. I welcome clients of all faiths and of no faith and will walk with you where you are.
The most important part of the training for any accomplished psychotherapist is to have been in one’s own therapy and to have improved the areas of woundedness and distortion that have been impediments in the therapist’s life. No matter how good the graduate program, book-learning, clinical training and years of experience, without this piece, no psychotherapist is fully prepared to help others. The therapist’s un-analyzed blockages become the client’s blockages. I have worked in my personal therapy both individually and in group therapy throughout my career. Has your therapist?
I encourage you to ask me about my personal therapy work and to ask any other therapist you are considering seeing. A competent therapist should be happy to share with you about this part of their training. If they aren’t willing, or if they bristle at such questions, let that be food for thought for you in your decision.
Please click the “Areas of Special Expertise” tab to learn what I do best. Thanks!
Please call me at 704-776-6438.