(he/him)
New to Grow
I am a recently retired clinical psychologist, who spent the last 13 years of my 18 year plus practice helping Veterans at the Rock Hill, SC, VA clinic, as a contract psychotherapist and MH department leader. I am a widower, having raised my two daughters from their young teens, and still am closely connected with them (and my two young grandchildren). I am a retired minister, still active in my local church. I consider my therapy as a gift from God to share healing, encouragement, insight, and acceptance; combining the best of clinical science and a life of faith.
The first session combines two goals: getting to know each other, and exploring a good fit for a therapy relationship. Although there are some required elements to safeguard client safety and to be sure mutual expectations are met, there is room in the session for the client to say what they need to say and ask what they need to ask in order to feel more comfortable with the process. To me, it is less important to get every detail of a client's history right up front, and more important to be guided by what the client wants to share and ask first.
As I mentioned above, my therapy grows out of my faith, and is the current shape of what I believe to be my ministry. As such, it is rooted and grounded in my belief in the high value of every human life, that we are created, loved, and wanted by God. Also that healing and growth are possible even for those who feel stuck, discouraged, even at times in despair. This does not mean I limit my practice to Christian believers, or even talk about faith if that is not desired by the client. I am grounded in the theory and practice of clinical psychology. In addition to my primary training in CBT, I have also learned and practice a variety of other methods, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of depression. I have written a manuscript for a book on transtheoretical treatment of depression. While it has not yet been published, I have presented the material at two professional conferences where it was well received. Not every therapy session feels good at the time. Some times it is necessary to go where the pain is ( a little like getting a root canal, an experience I know all too well). However most of my clients say they genuinely enjoy and look forward to their sessions with me. Often there is some laughter involved. I try to be transparent, which means not coming off as "the expert". I believe each of us is the expert on our own life. But that doesn't mean therapy is just a chat session. My objective is to work myself out of a job, i.e., to focus on "graduation" from a particular episode of therapy care. Usually this can be accomplished in about 1 to 12 months of weekly or biweekly sessions.
I work well with a wide variety of clients, but my ideal client has reached a state of high readiness to seek growth through change. I have a supportive approach, but I also appreciate client engagement. This means working collaboratively with the therapist to custom tailor SMART goals and shape the sessions to be as beneficial to the client and their objectives as possible. It also means commitment to working on mutually agreed therapy tasks and goals in between session.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use a wide variety of methods compiled from many years of practice. My central method is CBT. This includes but goes beyond special certification in CPT (See below) and CBT-CP (CBT for Chronic pain).
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
This evidence based method has proven very effective to help trauma survivors recover from PTSD.
Faith based therapy
In addition to my psychology education and experience, I am an ordained (retired) Presbyterian minister. Clients who are interested in discussing their faith, or drawing on spiritual materials are welcome to do so. I am also respectful of those who do not wish to includeeligiou or spiritual components in their therapy.