LPC, 10 years of experience
Let's realize your mental health and general life goals together. I have no agenda except to hopefully offer useful perspective, knowledge, and witnessing of the change you hope to realize. I may be especially useful to you if you feel there is a spiritual or existential basis to the change you desire. I think it's important that you experience a sense of progress towards your goals as a result of our work together so let me know how it is going for you. Also, if you are interested, there are practices and readings I can recommend to help with self esteem, mindfulness, anxiety, stress, sleep issues, etc.
Our first session will be focused on getting to know you. I hope to learn about your background, your goals, your strengths and skills from your point-of-view, and past experiences with mental health providers (what has been helpful versus what has not been helpful for you in the past). We will also hopefully agree on at least one goal in the first session and develop a plan around that. Let's get started :)
The strengths-based approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sets me slightly apart from other therapists. This is because it starts with the clients' strengths versus what's "wrong" with them or their approach to life. In addition, my study of meditation, positive psychology, mindfulness, neuroscience, Buddhism and other religions (more cursory), and humanist and existential philosophies can offer a unique approach to those interested.
You can imagine the big picture even if you cannot always keep the big picture perspective. You are open to trying new approaches to create the change you hope to realize for your mental health and the quality of your experiences day-to-to and long-term. You are willing to (or willing to learn how to) take the lead with how often we meet and how long we work together for. The hope is, you feel there is progress as we work together and I am here to help you gauge that progress if needed. Meanwhile, it's important you feel you are choosing the parameters of our work together.
Emphasizing the strengths and skills clients see in themselves forms the base of the work we do together to realize the change clients envision. We dont start with whats "wrong" with the client we start with "what change do you hope to see" and "what strengths and skills can we engage to realize that change?"
For clients who identify the change they hope to realize as having a spiritual or existential origin, I offer knowledge of the mind-body connection, mindfulness practice, meditation, and an array of existential and spiritual philosophies and practices to integrate into our work together