I practice as a dual licensed therapist (MFT & LPCC) in Fresno, California and offer online service via Grow. Call me for consult at (559) 242-6670 or inquire at: Justin@Stargaardtherapy.com. I have more availability than posted. I contract on site service in Fresno area including group therapy and consulting. Before joining Grow, I served my local community in Fresno for six years with a local office and also provided on site therapy with sex offenders via containment model. I've worked with survivors of various traumas & family dysfunctions, depression, sexual abuse survivors, anxiety, life stressors, ADHD, co-parenting dynamics, anger issues, and a whole host of other stuff that brings one to seek therapy. As far as specialty, I am certified as an independent provider with California's sex offender management board and trained in areas surrounding sexual abuse, offending, and how therapy is rendered based on reducing risk. At present, I offer my expertise in this area primarily to parents who want to protect their kids, survivors who want to assert against future grooming/victimization, and to adults desiring to build safe and healthy sexual expression. Theoretical models I apply, include a cognitive behavioral model emphasizing using behavior to get the changes you want. In practice, I've found this model to be accessible for first time clients, offer a practical conceptualization of therapy work, and all while offering an ease of going "deeper" as work may incorporate childhood experiences, attachment, relational dynamics, and in room transference. When I work with couples and families I utilize a structural model which emphasizes getting parents on the same team and building a functional hierarchy for the family unit. I've seen first hand how smooth a family can run when mom and dad work together and own their home. Consults welcome 24/7.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

First session will be one hour long and consist a review of informed consent followed by intake interview. I'm open to chat before hand if you would like to run something by me before scheduling.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I listen, learn from everybody, learn from mistakes, and bring stories with me from all the places I've been. I have a sound understanding of trauma, human development, and the role feedback plays in human relationships which melds into how I conceptualize treatment. I've had the privilege to have some long term clients and see how therapy can enrich one's experience and relationships when the inside work gets worked on, up, in, and out. I got to have a great mentor who was a therapist for 30+ years named Scott Polenz who was tremendously influential in how I practice today. I also got to intern under Dr. Azizian who pushed me to think more critically and clinically when it came to working with forensic populations and around the areas of sexual offenders and offending behavior. I provided group therapy on site to a probation department for six years and ran a solid program the entire time. I've also been on both sides of the therapy couch and thus learned to value a humble and practical approach to therapy process.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I specialize in human behavior and work with people like you and me. (559) 242-6670 Justin@StargaardTherapy.com https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/justin-robert-stargaard-fresno-ca/437127

About JUSTIN R. STARGAARD