(he/him)
New to Grow
I have 14 years experience in the mental health field. This has mostly been in substance abuse and trauma. My interests mostly revolve around overcoming adverse events. We are shaped by events both good and bad. I believe that a bad or harmful event does not have to totally negative consequences. Pain can lead to both wisdom and growth. A full and rich life is possible despite adverse events. I am committed to both body based and thought based therapies. Improving the mind body connection is often the first step towards a richer and more understandable life.
Our first session is laying out the ground work for the work to come. We will do a lot of 'getting to know you' talking. This helps me put the problems into a larger picture. There is no rush to diagnosis or creating a firm treatment plan. We will discuss at length what is bothering you in the present time and see if there is a connections or patterns to what is happening. After the first session we can work on a rough road map of where to go. I often recommend some reading tailored to help gain some back ground knowledge. I often recommend some youtube videos which I think will be helpful. Resources are the first 'home work'.
Therapy works best if the therapist does not condem or judge the actions of a client. Generally most people do their best with what resources are available. I work at being open and affirming with clients. Clients can find that they have to try multiple modalities and many different techniques before they find something that works for them. I believe that for every problems there is a solution, you just have to work until it is found. Patience and persistence are my main approach.
I have most experience with veterans and first responders with substance abuse and acute trauma. I specialize in second half of life adjustments. Mid life can be a time substantial change and mid life 'dizzines' which can be debilitating. Veterans/first responders who have very acute trauma can benefit from body regulation, deep breathing and calming exercises. We can use EMDR resources to help the body relax quite quickly. At some point many people who are reacting to acute trauma get the sneaking suspicion that 'I am not thinking straight about this'. Cogntive processing therapy, which is evidence based, has helped a great number of people break the feeling to thinking and the thinking to feeling downward spiral. Changing thinking can be achieved but, it does take work. For clients who feel their life has lost meaning and has no meaning 'no mission any more' we can work on understaning that personal values adapt to life's circumstances can often require adjusting what is important in life. Family and grandchildren can lead to unextpected but very rich changes in life. We can use a form of therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to work towards a richer and more rewarding life. Even if the rewards are not what was expected.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
This will help you find out what is important and help you let go of thoughts that are not helping you live a good and meaningful life.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
We work on intrusive thoughts and help retrain the mind to not 'over-react' to old thoughts and old maps
EMDR
EMDR when done over virtual therapy will help clear painful blockages in thinking and replace them with helpful thoughts and feelings.
Attachment-based
Attachment therapy can help bring an understanding of how and why we behave in a relationship. We can identify your 'attachment style' and work on finding a deeper insight into how to change it.