I am a family and marriage counselor currently licensed in Texas. I have over 40 years of experience working as a psychotherapists, life coach, and mediator. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, sexual issues, substance abuse issues and general life conflicts. I also helped many people who have experienced combinations of areas of concerns and who faced existential conflicts within their lives. My style is direct and focused while remaining warm and interactive. Treating everyone with respect, and compassion, without stigmatizing labels. Combining cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic approaches, reality therapy, existential therapy, and rational-emotive counseling. Focused on the client's coping skills and ability to resolve their issues. I have a sexually positive approach and orientation so that even the most emotional and intimate issues can be resolved in a positive and non judgmental manner. My training in philosophy allows me to integrate philosophical values into the psychological approaches to resolving conflicts My background is a merging of my studies in counseling, psychology and philosophy. I began my career working as a probation officer within residential treatment facilities. I then worked in various private residential mental health and psychiatric facilities, and was an administrator of several outpatient clinics, hospitals, and substance abuse programs. I was a corporate clinical trainer for seven psychiatric hospitals. I have been a featured speaker at many conventions, workshops, and colleges. I have also taught at several colleges on the treatment areas noted above and on the basis of healthy relationships. Much of my graduate work focused on the nature of relationships, especially in the areas of sexuality, intimacy, and values I possess graduate degrees in both counseling and philosophy.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Clients will be able to develop a clarity of their issues, a plan of action to resolve them, and how to develop the coping skills necessary to resolve issues that may arise in the future. The focus will be on resolving issues and giving the client the skills to maintain their choices for their futures. There will be a stress on identifying their own goals and developing the means to achieve those goals.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I use an eclectic approach which fits each client individually. There will be a blend of several treatment styles and theories. I frequently use blends of cognitive behavior theory,, rational/emotive theory, humanistic and existential therapy, cognitive processing, reality therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, behavior modification and solution focused therapy. Techniques from each of these modes are available and can be used in treatment planning. The focus is always on developing the skills of the individual so that they can determine their own choices and outcomes.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of my strengths is that I have worked with a wide range of clients of all ages. Thus i am prepared for whatever issues may arise in a session. Also in conjunction with the wide range of clients I have also dealt with all types of issues, and thus, I do not shy away from difficult subjects or issues that may be presented. I have extensive experience with relationship and sexual counseling and can take a positive and non judgmental approach with such emotionally charged issues. I also have experience working with relationship issues when substance abuse is a factor.