(he/him)
New to Grow
Ray Grizzel taught college psychology courses for 31 years, including creating and teaching ones on The Art and Science of Relationships, Parenting, Death, and Change, Challenge, and Resilience. Using the information and experiences of helping people in a group setting during that time period, he is aware of the personal and significant issues that trouble and challenge people. In private practice, Ray has worked with children, teens, and adults using an eclectic therapeutic approach. Ray builds on a person’s strengths to create with them the resources and ability to fully live their lives. A trauma-based approach is most certainly an aspect of the therapeutic interactions.
At our first meeting you can ask any questions you would like of me. I would like to know why you have sought out counseling at this time, what you would like to get from the counseling sessions, and what you believe is possible. I am interested in understanding why we are meeting and how I can best help you. My focus is on you and your current needs and your growth as a person. Our first session involves me listening you to understand the concern that you would like to address. A collaborative interaction occurs to identify the issue and possible approaches to assist you in achieving a satisfactory resolution. The first session is also an opportunity for you to ask the questions you may have about the process, therapeutic methods, and any other concerns you may have.
A great strength is listening to understand the person and their concern. I have worked with several hundred individuals in groups of 15-25 in a college time-constrained setting and learned to quickly identify the critical components of an issue to assist the person to access their personal resources and resolution.
My dream clients are individuals who would like to live a fuller, happier life, and would like assistance achieving their personal goals. They are people who would like to realize their potential and a client who thinks there must be a better way to engage their life. An ideal client is one who is willing to follow the task request of the therapist even though at the moment they may not believe it will make a difference and is able to communicate that concern. The therapeutic relationship will allow a person to communicate when they are not comfortable with a therapeutic intervention and know they are heard when they have a concern about any part of the therapeutic process.
Other specialties
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from maladaptive learning, trauma, or distressing memories. Prior experiences in life affect responses that automatically occur, and limit abilities and resources people have access to. EMDR is a proven approach that naturally allows growth and changes to occur that are most appropriate for the person.
Christian Counseling
Christian counseling is a faith-based approach to emotional and mental support that combines biblical truth with wise guidance. Christian counseling looks at the heart, the mind, and the spirit together, pointing people toward healing, hope, and God’s purpose. Christian counseling is important because it helps people process emotions like fear, guilt, anger, and grief through a biblical lens, making it especially valuable for people who want guidance that strengthens both their emotional health and their walk with God.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that helps individuals understand and change their thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional well-being. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used psychological treatment that has proven effective for various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and eating disorders. It is based on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing negative thought patterns can lead to changes in feelings and behaviors.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) therapy is a set of techniques designed to help individuals understand and reprogram their thoughts, language, and behavior patterns to achieve personal and professional goals. NLP was developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder to model the strategies of highly successful individuals and apply them to personal growth and therapy. It focuses on the relationship between the mind (neuro), language (linguistic), and learned behavior patterns (programming) to influence how people think, feel, and act. NLP is not formally recognized as psychotherapy but is often used alongside traditional therapies to enhance outcomes.
Grief Therapy
Grief therapy, also known as grief counseling or bereavement counseling, is a psychotherapy designed to help individuals cope with the emotional, psychological, and social challenges of loss. It provides a safe space to process complex emotions, thoughts, and memories, and to develop coping mechanisms and strategies to manage grief. Grief therapy can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing complicated grief, which is characterized by prolonged and intense feelings of loss, yearning, and difficulty accepting the reality of the loss. The therapy aims to help individuals reconstruct their world after a loss, understand their new self, and develop new meaning for life while fostering healing and acceptance.