Hi, my name is Mark. Thank you for considering me as your therapist. It would be my pleasure to get to work with you! I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; that means that not only do I work with individuals who experience all kinds of mental health challenges, but I also specialize in systemic, or relational therapy - working with couples, families & groups. I am a Presidential Member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. If you want your faith included in your therapy, please let me know; your sessions will be as "spiritual" as you'd like, and no more. I have been providing therapy and counseling since 2016, and most recently worked as the therapy manager for a clinic that has four locations. Though I have worked with all populations (youngest 5 years old and oldest 94), young kids have trouble sitting still in front of a camera. Children under the age of 15 would be better served in an office setting, in my opinion. I have been with my amazing wife for over 35 years now, and have two wonderful adult children. I enjoy sports, music and all kinds of "outdoorzie" stuff. I most of all just enjoy time with my family. Most of my clients profess to sincerely enjoy working with me; I tend to connect with my clients on a deeper level, and in a more meaningful way, than some other therapists. Many say that they or their children work better with me than any other therapist, counselor or doctor they've experienced. I am humbled and immensely grateful for their kind words. I offer my clients a soft place to fall in their hurts and struggles while providing them a firm place to stand in their healing and growth. Always, in a judgment-free way.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My initial point of focus is that every question you have will be answered in a clear, concise and sensitive way. I will read through your intake information and ask you questions about it. My intention is to understand where you are in your current struggles, what your goals are, and recognize what hurdles stand in the way of you reaching your goals. In working with couples, I will perform a couple's assessment with you. I will then ensure that you feel comfortable working with me. Then I will explain exactly what you can expect with each session, moving forward.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
The truth in successful therapy is that scarcely (virtually never) would you find a therapist that exercises a single therapeutic modality, only. Like many other therapists, I apply what works for different clients that exhibit different concerns found in their beliefs, behaviors and cognitions. Commonly, I use cognitive and behavioral techniques found in CBT, DBT and REBT. I utilize aspects of narrative and solution-focused therapies. Likewise, I use generational methods, attachment theory and psychoanalytic practices. For relational therapy, I primarily follow the Gottman Method.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest therapeutic strength is in my ability to connect with clients. To earn trust, and make positive changes, a client needs to "click" with you, as a therapist and as a person. As a good therapist, there are times when I have to say things that are challenging to say, and difficult to hear; I do this without sacrificing your dignity, or sense of decency. We all need help sometimes; I have yet to meet a therapist that could not benefit from working with a therapist!