Licensed to practice in Minnesota and accepts 14 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, Anxiety, Depression and 9 more.
(he/him)
New to Grow
I have been a professional counselor for 18 years. Counseling is my second career, after working for twenty years in business management. My background and training include experience with addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety & chronic pain . I consider myself to be warm, empathetic, articulate and honest. My counseling style involves a patient-centered approach, along with values clarification and thought clarification (cognitive-behavioral) elements. I believe every successful client/counselor relationship begins by developing a sense of safety and trust for the client. Given the state of the world these days, many people are struggling emotionally. People come to therapy in hopes of finding a possible solution to their problems and to feel better. It is my job to help you meet those needs. In general, I work with clients who may have issues with personal addiction, family members with addiction, or individual issues with anxiety and/or depression.Together, we will identify your challenges and your goals - where you want your life is now, and where you would like to to be in the future. While I may use my experience and expertise to generate possible ideas and actions to take, the ultimate direction rests with you, the client.
Our first session together is focused on getting to know each better, primarily focusing on your current state of mind and your goals for therapy. I ask many questions and invite dialogue and any questions in return. The goal of the first session is to gather sufficient information to develop a treatment strategy, with your considerable input. Again, I feel it is vital to establish a place of comfort and trust.
I have had my own personal struggles with some of these issues and eventually determined to use my experience to help others. You probably would not be exploring therapy if you did not have personal struggles and a wish to feel better. I do expect feedback from the client to assist the process, if not at first, then in time. I will push for information at times, but only to your level of comfort. AFter all, the goal is to make you feel better.
An individual or family who is having trouble controlling an addiction of some type, alcohol, drugs, sex or gambling, and that behavior is affecting his, her or their personal and possibly professional life. He/she/they may have tried some traditional routes of care, or alternatively, are not yet ready to try things like treatment or twelve step programs and would rather talk one to one. We would explore how you go there, what are options, and how to change, if that is the goal.
ACT is primary to mindfulness, that is, staying present and living in the moment. Accepting things as they are rather than as we wish they may be.. That may come later.
It's important to learn and understand our inner dialogues. We are often plagued by misinformation and untruths about ourselves, many of them quite damaging to our self esteem. These can be changed with proper therapy.
Understanding and acting in accord with our personal core values can be difficult, particularly in certain relationships. Yet it is difficult to be content until we do.