I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addiction Professional and Qualified Supervisor. I have over 20 years of counseling experience working with diverse populations including at risk youth, juvenile delinquents, and over the past several years, I have worked mostly in adult substance abuse treatment. I also identify with and specialize in working with LGBT persons. I am skilled at treating anxiety, depression, family of origin issues, career and relationship issues as well. I employ an empathic and motivational approach to working with clients. I utilize personal knowledge from being in recovery to connect with clients. I like to develop understanding and connection with what each client is struggling with as they progress in therapy. I am well versed in cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement, but also use a variety of other interventions to keep clients engaged and active in their own therapy process.

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

Foremost, I want my clients to feel heard and understood. I would like my clients to see hope and more attainable solutions when they are struggling and may have been struggling with certain challenges for a long time. I hope my clients gain better knowledge into self but also improved sense of mastery, empowerment, validation, and confidence.

What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?

I use some cognitive behavioral interventions, humanistic and solution focused interventions and I also aid clients to recognize the origins of their issues, how childhood and other difficult circumstances can influence how they view the world in ways that, wile valid and understandable, not longer serve them in being happy and healthy.

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

My biggest strengths are in using a warm, empathic, and personal approach, sometimes applying humor when helpful, but also in helping clients understand and articulate what is really troubling them. My niche is working with substance abuse, LGBT persons, depression, and anxiety. I understand these issues in ways many other therapists do not.

About Mark Gruber