I specialize in brief collaborative therapy where we look at current issues, how you cope, how you learned the coping skills and alternatives solutions. We will look at your self-care including spirituality and how to improve your self care if needed. Weekly assignment tasks related to your short term goals will be agreed upon. We will work together to learn and understand where you are now and how the past has impacted you. Engaging in therapy can be anxiety provoking, exciting and freeing. If you are willing to work on our mutually agreed upon assignment between our counseling sessions, you will find we make progress. I worked in criminal justice prior to being licensed in Michigan where I grew up and studied. Upon moving to Chicagoland, I worked 10 years with a crisis response team and an employee assistance program. This is where I learned to develop skills to drill down into client issues and work with the client to reduce discomfort and improve coping skills. Our counseling sessions did not last beyond 6-8 meetings. I moved to Texas in 2003 and since then have continued to work on crisis teams and with military members/spouses on installations. My practice has been focused on supporting couples communications; life transitions including grief/loss, career transitions, parenting skills and integrating/applying client's spiritual practice into every day life. Clients describe me as safe to talk with about difficult topics; active and contributing to the dialog; creative in opening up behavioral and cognitive options.

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

In our first session we will look at your Intake information closely. We will discuss your level of Anxiety, Depression, Self-Care and History. I am interested in understanding your experiences and what has led you to the present. This understanding will enable us to develop therapeutic goals to work toward. Goals are fluid in that as you meet one goal, you may discover you have something else you would like to address.

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

My biggest strength is in identifying the common thread from the client's past to present and helping the client to identify what past coping behaviors are not useful now. I actively collaborate to identify behavioral coping options with the client. I am familiar with successful communication and parenting tools the client can implement/practice. I bring the client's healthy spiritual learnings to everyday life to help identify a firm foundation for life.

About Diane McLeod