LCSW-C, 31 years of experience
I am a licensed therapist with extensive experience providing clinical therapy services for the past 31 years. I have a dedicated interest in helping clients deal with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and other issues that oftentimes impact our ability to lead more fulfilling lives. Over the course of my career I've been able to help a wide range of clients make meaningful changes and develop greater insight into what are some of the underlying dynamics and issues behind their challenges. I look forward to assisting you with achieving your goals and becoming more self-actualized on your unique life journey!
The secret to getting ahead, is getting started. -Mark Twain The first session is all about laying the groundwork. Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for suggestions concerning our work together, including keeping each other accountable. That way we can ensure the therapeutic alliance is sound and productive.
The cornerstone of my practice approach is the keen ability to help guide clients in looking at and understanding the role that developmental life factors play in determining how we manage obstacles and stress in our lives. To achieve this goal, together we will develop a working formulation of past and current challenges and then apply evidenced based therapeutic interventions. Using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems, and Psychodynamic therapy we can then figure out the best path to achieve your therapy goals in a flexible time frame. The foundations of this process are rooted in active listening, empathy, flexibility, patience, and our mutual desire and partnership to achieve meaningful changes.
The client(s) who I am best positioned to help in therapy generally have 1 or more of these 3 attributes: -A natural or evolving curiosity about better understanding yourself. -Willingness to work collaboratively to build skills and identify solutions and strategies to overcome obstacles and challenges. -Openness to both seeking and receiving constructive feedback to achieve therapy goals. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to anxiety, depression, self-care and many other challenges. I focus on helping clients gain valuable insights and awareness within themselves and family/interpersonal relationships that can help improve their quality of life. Therapy can foster personal development in whatever way you may be seeking and help build the life you want to have and truly deserve. If that's what you're looking for, I'm here when you're ready to share. Take a moment and deep breath to acknowledge you've taken the first step towards bettering your emotional well being because, honestly and speaking from experience starting therapy can be empowering, confusing, and sometimes a little daunting all at the same time. With kind regards, Chris
I have considerable graduate level education, training, and clinical practice experience using psychodynamic therapy approaches to assist clients with gaining self-awareness and an understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior.
As a licensed therapist I routinely use a CBT approach and interventions to help clients focus and gain skills surrounding the important relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
In my clinical practice motivational interviewing is a powerful collaborative counseling approach to help clients resolve ambivalence and strengthen their internal motivation to change their behavior or to achieve their goals.
As a clinical practitioner of psychotherapy I often use mindfulness practices combined with CBT. I have found that this further assists clients to develop skills to manage depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.