Did you know that most people don't initially consider counseling to help them with problems? Perhaps you have already spoken with friends, family, co-workers, or a respected religious/spiritual leader in your community. Perhaps those you’ve talked with don’t truly understand your perspective, or maybe they understand you, but they don’t know how to help. I’ve had these kinds of experiences myself over the years, and they led me to seek counseling for my own growth. In doing so, I have reaped the benefits for myself that have also improved my relationships, so I know how powerful it can be. My foundation of caring rests on four pillars; 1) recognizing a person’s worth, 2) honoring their trust, 3) maintaining a non-judgmental posture and 4) valuing curiosity. I have built upon that foundation with formal training as a mental health counselor, years of diverse clinical experiences using evidence-based practices to help people heal and grow, and a finally a PhD. Counseling is both science and art, and I recognize and appreciate both. So whether you are struggling with the challenges of day-to-day living, facing a new season of life, reeling from a significant loss, or have a diagnosable mental health condition, I am here to help on your journey to healing. I specialize in working with men's issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, codependency, sexual addictions, substance use disorders, and integrating spirituality/faith into counseling. I also have a working knowledge of psychopharmacology because many of my clients have been on medications in addition to therapy. It takes courage to reach out for help, but it is truly worth it. If you’re ready to take that next step, I’ll be here to join you.
During the first session, we will go over some of the basics of therapy, complete and/or review some assessments to get a picture of what is happening with you, and begin to learn about your story and what brought you into therapy. The first session usually consists of lots of information gathering. It can feel a little tedious at times covering lots of information about different areas, but rest assured, the follow up sessions will be more conversational and will flow easier.
My biggest strengths are meeting people where they are, understanding their perspectives and feelings, incorporating spirituality, and increasing self-awareness and self-acceptance. This work helps them to break free of what burdens them so that they can have healthier, more fulfilling lives. People are often surprised at how much they reveal to me because of their known "trust issues." I have worked with many people who have issues with sexual addiction, codependency, and grief and loss. While those may not be "official" diagnosable mental health conditions, they plague many of my clients nonetheless. Many of my clients have also struggled with significant life transitions that leave them feeling lost and alone. The pain from these relational and existential issues can be crushing.
I prefer to go deeper with my clients using a psychodynamic and interpersonal relations based approach that focuses on both the wounds suffered in relationships and the joys of healthy relating that can only be accomplished by risking intimacy. We are all longing for connection and terrified of it at the same time. We develop defense strategies to protect ourselves from relating to others in a healthy way, but we can't totally escape the longing to be connected, known, and loved.
Change is hard for us all. When you are facing changes you know you should make but are having difficulty discovering and implementing those healthy changes, motivational interviewing can help. We all have some ambivalence about doing what is best for us, times when we eat that super size Big Mac meal or pick up another cigarette or drink another bottle of wine or six pack when we've promised ourselves not to. It's normal to want to change and feel the constant pull of what's familiar all at the same time. I can help you work through this struggle.
Many of us are wrestling with the big questions in life. Why is there suffering in the world (and why am I suffering)? What is the point of all of this? There's got to be something more. In the words of Paul Tillich, many of us are concerned with life's "ultimate concerns," including loneliness, suffering, and meaninglessness. Many approaches offer simple practices like reframing, relaxation exercises, replacing negative thoughts and the like, and these seem to work for awhile. But if you've been through all of that and looking for something deeper, we can delve into those deeper questions and concerns.