"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes." - William Gibson Hi There - Welcome. Please come in. I'm pretty sure that this is not the first therapist's (or hypnotist's) website you've looked at for hypnosis or counseling. Relax for a moment, this site is pretty casual, and rather low on marketing hype. Like so many other folks in this field, I really try to prevent people from letting their struggles define their identity. Occasionally upon being given a diagnosis the person can sometimes just get forgotten. I hate that. And, like many other counselors, I spend time trying to make this world a better place by alleviating distress where I can. But I noticed that there were very few who openly work with more invisible issues. I work with those for whom death is a very real part - terminal illness, homicide (accidental, line-of-duty, malice), miscarriage/abortion or cancer diagnosis or cancer scare - and with those who are in strong emotional pain from divorce, obsession, survivor's guilt, betrayal, and other heartache. And, I'll say it right out - I also work with folks who may not have a big specific issue to tackle, sometimes life just blows and they need to talk about it.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Be careful what you feed your brain. Imagine putting a post-it note on your bathroom mirror that said, "You suck, you're going to have another miserable day." We don't need a post-it note because we say this and other bad things in our head! Others can be rude, but we can be vicious. Think about what you think. Do you say things to yourself that you wouldn't say to a child? Much of my counseling is spent helping people cut through years of false training about who they are & what they are able to do.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Treatment methods? CBT, EMDR, RET, XYZ-PDQ. Sometimes treatment methods are done AT people. I am trained in several methods, but I've found that the fastest way to alienate a client is to shove them through some framework. At my old age, sometimes people just need to talk to someone who will remind them that they "aren't the a$$hole" (or be told that they are!). Yes, $1 for no-show. Life happens. Don't make it a habit.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My clients tend to be rather articulate and pretty in-touch with their thoughts. If you're going to sit there and let me go on a fishing expedition just to give me three word answers, I will match your efforts. If you are someone who thinks, even thinks too much, then I'll be right there running beside you. As an old guy, I've probably seen something similar to what you're going through - I offer you my life experience, and the history of hundreds of clients before you. Let's not reinvent the wheel if we don't have to. Happen to be a homosexual. I say that because I was informed that "Gay people have culture and style, you're basically a straight guy. A homosexual." That's great, I love it. Maybe that's relevant, but likely not.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Anyone under affective control - I don't teach people how to stop hitting their spouse or showing up to work drunk.