I am happy to work with clients on developing more contentment and serenity and less anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, or shame. You might be having a difficult time accepting yourself, accepting the shortcomings of others or accepting life’s struggles. We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to dispute our irrational beliefs and create new alternative beliefs that are helpful to us. I am also happy to work with couples to build their friendship with their partner by developing conflict management skills and turning towards our partner with bids for connection without using harsh criticism and defensiveness. You may be a couple deciding to live together, be newly married, wanting to proactively strengthen your marriage before taking on the great responsibility of raising children, or married for years who are experiencing conflicts and arguments. We use the Gottman Method of Couple’s Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Couples to work on empathy and listening skills to turn towards our partner instead of turning away or turning against them. I work with individuals who speak Spanish and would like to work with a therapist who is conveniently located or willing to work with clients virtually on their individual needs. I work with older adolescents also either virtually or in person.

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

In our first session, you will express your concerns and reasons you are seeking therapy at this time. You will give some background and history to help me understand your needs and then we will work on developing a treatment plan that satisfies your goals.

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

I like working in small groups with a Bibliotherapy type approach through the use of books as tools to help us to understand ourselves with psycho-education and the therapeutic guidance of a therapist. I see this approach as having the ability to reach more individuals in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. This approach has the added benefit of being a type of support group to individuals having similar interests.

About Linda Gates, LPC