Hello! Congratulations on taking this step toward living a happier and more meaningful life! It takes courage! I received a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1999 at Auburn University in Alabama and have been providing care ever since. I have worked as a full-time clinician, mentored and provided clinical supervision to new professionals and also oversaw a community behavioral health center for more than a decade as the clinical director. Currently, my full-time job is providing military and family life counseling at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. I also have this small private practice. An important goal of mine is to help you feel comfortable and confident that counseling is a safe place. I operate from a position of compassion and empathy. Together we work through the issues you are struggling with. I do not take the stance that I'm the expert on your life but instead will guide you through the change process at your own pace and readiness.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session we will work on establishing a relationship of trust by getting to know each other. I will be asking questions to better understand your background, culture, current state, strengths and reasons why you are seeking professional help. I will explain the counseling process, my expectations of you and asking you for your expectations of me and your preferences.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Over the past 25 years as a therapist/counselor I have had many unique experiences providing care and training younger professionals. Through those experiences I've learned that I am most effective when I am fully present with you-listening intently to your experience. By being present with you in your struggles I can offer practices to help you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. My expectation is that you have come to therapy to do the work both in and out of session. I will help us stay focused on your treatment goals so that the duration of services will be as brief as possible. I think some of my best strengths are being a non-judgmental and empathic listener while also nudging clients to take meaningful action to obtain the changes they desire.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds. As a person of faith, I respect the spiritual beliefs of my clients and will work within them. Though I am experienced in the majority of behavioral health struggles, I am most competent in helping people resolve trauma, address relational issues and cope with anxiety. I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but provide counseling to all people, regardless of religious and spiritual beliefs.
About Paul Otto
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts cash
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have found ACT to be a great framework to operate from because it helps clients take meaningful actions that are aligned with their values (what's important to them). It also helps create psychological flexibility to cope with challenges or unwanted experiences.
Christian Counseling
Some Christians are hesitant of receiving counseling because they're concerned their beliefs and culture will not be respected. As a Christian myself, I hope to create a space where Christians can feel comfortable and where interventions don't contradict their belief system . My first seven years of practice was with a private Christian-based company. I actively serve in positions in my local congregation as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
Couples Counseling
My Bachelors degree is in Family Science, I have Masters is in Marriage and Family Therapy and am licensed as a marriage and family therapist (MFT). MFT's tend to see problems from a systems perspective-meaning that they consider the context in which problems occur and focus on improving relationships by changing how issues are discussed and dealt with. I tend to gravitate toward Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy.
EMDR
I became trained in EMDR about 3 years ago and have been amazed with the outcomes. EMDR generally reduces treatment time. EMDR can be provided via video and I have had successful outcomes through this means. EMDR is specifically used in treating trauma.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I was first introduced to IFS while in graduate school 25 years ago. It has since grown and continually proven as an evidence-based model. IFS can not only be used in treating trauma but is useful in conceptualizing a variety of common life struggles. In IFS, an idea is that we have different parts of ourselves that compete to get their needs met. The goal of IFS is to unify those parts in the interest of what is best for the individual as a whole.