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. You might wonder if you are ready for change. 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. I will help you create behavior patterns to take your life where you want it to go. The therapy environment requires mutual trust, respect, and collaboration. To that end, my approach is down to earth, direct, compassionate 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, determine, and express what it is that you need and want most. You will be challenged to look at your part in your outcomes and will learn how to change them. My approach is tailored for you. So, the best way to see what it will be like is to come in!
My treatment approaches are based on sound scientific models and principles of human behavior and established proven methods of effective psychotherapy. I use generous portions of mindfulness techniques, Gestalt therapy (a body awareness, here-and-now approach), psychodynamic (inner child), cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as support and techniques from other approaches. I often invite clients to do homework which you can do mentally or in written format.
I do not follow therapy trends and fads. I read science, learn about advancements, acquire new skills, and use approaches and techniques that are proven effective. Some fashionable treatments are packaged as new, but actually are older, well-established approaches that have been given new names. I use what works, whether it be new or old.
Nor do I follow cultural fads. My problem-solving is practical, sensible, steady, and informed by sound principles of social science combined with common sense, logic, frankness, life experience and wisdom.
What is your world view? 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 operating with a belief system that is derived from a Christian world view. My understanding of people, human nature, character qualities, drives and desires, and ethics is informed by Christian principles. I appreciate beauty in all forms, admire moral conduct, respect human dignity, value virtues such as kindness, patience and diligence, build on character strengths, and offer hope undergirded by optimism. 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, to the degree that you want. I welcome clients of all faiths and of no faith. I will respect the place from which you are coming and 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 made significant improvement in those areas of woundedness, distortion and conflict 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. When I continue in my personal work, I am better able to use myself – my feelings and reactions – to understand you and give feed-back. I am very aware, when we are meeting, of myself, my emotions, and my reactions to you.
I often share my reactions with my clients and invite them to observe and share their emotions and reactions with me. So, we are looking at what we are co-creating in session. Through this process, people become more aware of themselves, become clearer about what is their part, and become free to pursue what they need and want in life!
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 and perhaps share a couple of things they gained from their personal therapy work. If they aren’t willing, or if they bristle at such questions, let that be food for thought for you in your decision.
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If you’re ready to get started, call me at 704-776-6438.