Sometimes people experience emotional problems (e.g., anxiety, depression), behavioral problems (e.g., overeating, smoking), or relationship problems (e.g., excessive arguing, poor communication) that interfere with their daily functioning. These difficulties result from the interaction of biological, learning, behavioral, and environmental factors, which influence patterns of thinking and behaving. Negative life events can contribute to the development of self-defeating patterns of thinking and behaving, which some people can have difficulty changing. In my work, which I have been practicing for 40 years, I help people identify these self-defeating patterns and develop strategies for dealing with them. I emphasize the importance of practicing these strategies consistently, with the goal of handling emotions more effectively and behaving in more responsible and healthy ways. I focus on life pattern changes with respect to relationships, depression, anxiety, anger control, impulse control, and stress management.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During the first session, I assist the client in developing goals for our work together and begin focusing on the client's goal of choice. Each session will consist of my assisting the client in developing strategies they can use to work toward achieving the goal(s) that are important to them.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
In working with clients, the focus on what is happening at the present time that is contributing to the problems identified in the initial session. If the client chooses to relate some events from the past, I enable them to recognize how these events have affected their current functioning. In focusing on current problems, I assist the client in recognizing how these problems are maintained by self-defeating thinking and/or behaving, followed by focusing on strategies to resolve these problems.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Most of the work I have done has been focused on clients experiencing problems with anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder), depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, chemical addictions (drugs and alcohol), behavioral addictions (binge eating, excessive gambling, overspending, excessive time spent on the internet), and relationship problems.