Hi, I’m Chris. You may be here on a whim. You may want to capture a more positive experience of life. You may feel like your world is unmanageable or confusing. You may be absorbing an intolerable level of pain. I meet you where you are and provide a sounding board for understanding your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I am your collaborator and partner. Through our dialogue, you will begin to better understand your instincts and motivations. The goal, over time, is to uncover deeper insights. I actively listen, constructively challenge, and collaboratively teach. I am positive, compassionate, and non-judgmental. What makes this starting point so gratifying, is that you have already begun the work. By taking this first step, you are demonstrating readiness for positive change.
The first session is the intake session when I begin by going over the ground rules of therapy and spelling out my professional obligations and duties to you as a client. Then, through questions and answers I will develop a baseline understanding of your present and past concerns and your historical background. And finally, time permitting, we will begin to identify your goals for therapy.
I have an intuitive sense of how people around me are thinking and feeling. I am a natural listener. I express myself clearly. I am warm, empathetic, and easy to talk to. I engage openly and honestly. I hold that we are both our intrinsic, unique, selves and that we are shaped by our intersecting identities. I have the humility to challenge myself and the curiosity to listen and learn.
ACT is a new, scientifically based psychotherapy that takes a fresh look at why we suffer. In treatment we create an inventory of concerns, learn why we suffer, escape the trap of avoidance, practice mindfulness skills, and discover values.
CBT is problem-focused and action-oriented. My role is is to assist the client in developing effective strategies to address identified goals and alleviate symptoms.
SFBT is an evidence-based therapeutic approach which incorporates positive psychology principles and practices, which helps foster change by focusing on solutions rather than problems.
Narrative Therapy views people as separate from their problems and destructive behaviors. Narrative focuses on the stories we develop and carry through their lives.