My name is Andrew Jones, and I am a licensed Therapist (LMFT) in California. You can take a look at my profile to learn a little bit more about my background, education, experience and therapeutic approach. Online counseling is fairly new, and I've found it to be really just as effective therapeutically when applied in a personal way, that is by video face to face contact. My counseling style is engaging and inclusive. That is, I am aware of the fact that we all have flaws that require professional intervention. I have been described as supportive, caring, and compassionate, with a pretty good sense of the needs of my clients. Although I use CBT and DBT interventions, I also like to focus on identifying your strengths and helping you to maximize them to overcome your obstacles. I'm here to help you sort through the things that are difficult right now, and offer you a safe place to be open and honest without fear of judgment. It is clear that you have already taken the first and most important step by reaching out for help.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In my first session with you, I first of all want you to know that I'm sorry you are having a tough time right now, but I'm really glad you are reaching out. I'd like to help you work on the struggles you are facing and offer you a safe place to explore your thoughts and feelings. I want to get to know you and build a “personal” therapeutic relationship with you. I know you have a few tough things to discuss, and that this might be impacting your ability to cope. Can you give me a bit more information regarding the decisions you are facing? If you have had counseling before, what did you find most or least helpful about this?
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As I mentioned earlier, I have been described as supportive, caring, and compassionate, with a pretty good sense of the needs of my clients. Having been able to address my own shortcomings allows me to not only show empathy, but also recognize that there is always a road to healing, and reaching your achievable plateau for mental wellbeing. That is one of my strengths. The other strength of course is the sheer number and diversity of patients I have treated over the course of the last 26 years in the business. There can't be much I haven't seen and/or treated.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
In my 26 years of clinical experience, I have found it necessary to be available through the expertise of clinical insight. I can be eclectic in that my experience spans the modalities of CBT, DBT, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. I use these approaches standalone or in combination based on the needs of the client. Therefore, I am positioned to see clients for the broad range of pathologies mentioned in my profile. I do not do substance abuse counseling and am not working with children at this time. However, I tend to do well with patients experiencing Depression, Bipolar Disorders, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Psychosis, Marital and Relational problems etc. I am also experienced to serve patients who need spiritual guidance based on Christian ethics.
About Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). As a mental Health professional (psychotherapist or therapist) I like to structure the necessary number of sessions that reach the necessary goals. CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. If necessary, I use CBT in combination with other therapies (see profile), but mostly as a standalone due to its effectiveness in treating specific mental health disorders (such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, phobias, schizophrenia etc.). Not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental health disorder. CBT can also be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations. I have used this theoretical approach throughout my 26 years of experience as a therapist. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat a wide range of issues. It's often the preferred type of psychotherapy because it can quickly help you identify and cope with specific challenges. It generally requires fewer sessions than other types of therapy and is done in a structured way.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I first trained in DBT in after working with borderline personality disorder patients. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). It’s based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but it’s specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. I make use of this treatment modality when it is necessary to address intense emotional dysregulation by first helping people accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors, as well as helping them learn to change their lives, including their unhelpful or unhealthy behaviors. Although DBT is effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, I personally do not accept patients with Substance abuse Disorders. However, I do treat and support the use of DBT for Borderline personality disorder, Self-harm and suicidal ideations, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety. It’s important to note that the reason DBT has proved effective for treating these conditions is that each of these conditions is thought to be associated with issues that result from unhealthy or problematic efforts to control intense, negative emotions. Rather than depending on efforts that cause problems for the person, DBT helps people learn healthier ways to cope. In reading my profile, you will see that I also use CBT and Solution focused Brief Therapy for other conditions.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I began using Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in 1998 when I was working in a hospital setting that required short term therapy. (SFBT) is a short-term goal-focused evidence-based therapeutic approach, which incorporates positive psychology principles and practices, and which helps clients change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. In the most basic sense, SFBT is a hope friendly, positive emotion eliciting, vehicle for formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change. I implement SFBT as a standalone approach when appropriate, but also as a solution finding phase when therapy is best utilized through CBT and DBT approaches.
Christian Counseling
Besides being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have also done extensive Christian counseling as a Pastor. Although I do not implement a spiritual approach in my clinical sessions unless asked, I do believe that it can be a valuable support system for some.