LMFT, 28 years of experience
Welcome to Grow Therapy, I would like to introduce myself- My name is Anthony Kesner and I prefer “Tony” when conversing with others as yourself. I am a seasoned therapist with over 30 years of experience. I have expertise in multiple evidence-based therapy approaches that I apply effectively so that you achieve your therapy goals in a very timely manner. My philosophy is that our time in life is precious and to be lived at peace with one's self and others. A therapist is a guide toward the discovery of what may be interfering with this desire and how to remove such blocks effectively. My areas of specialty include the following for both adults and adolescents: Anxiety Disorders Depressive Disorders Sexual Disorders Stress & Trauma-related Disorders Adjustment Disorders Behavior and Impulse Control Disorders M.S. Psychology California Coast University B.A. Psychology, DePaul University Addictions Certificate, College of DuPage
The focus of our first session is to celebrate this new beginning in your life! Therapy brings us back to our true self where we gain clarity, rejuvenation, and motivation to participate fully in our life again or in healthier ways that lead to fulfillment and joy in daily life.
In session you will find that I am nurturing, warm, and fully present with you as we partner together to explore your concerns. Together we develop individualized effective therapeutic strategies that result in alleviating the concerns that had motivated you to seek therapy.
Our fast-paced world of seemingly never-ending tasks can be overwhelming and leave us feeling at wits end, questioning our abilities, and feeling as if our goals are out of reach. If this statement resonates with you I encourage you to take the initiative, be pro-active and schedule a session. I believe you will be amazed with the results as you begin to feel a new or renewed sense of direction, confidence, and peace in just a few short weeks.
My practice aligns with ACT’s fundamental premise that stress, pain, grief, disappointment, illness, and anxiety are inevitable features of human life. The therapeutic goal of ACT and myself is to help an individual productively adapt to these types of challenges by developing greater psychological flexibility. This is achieved through the development of Mindfulness skills that allow one to choose a constructive response rather than to react in a self-defeating manner. ACT guides one to identify and align one’s decisions and behaviors with one’s strongest values. Your mind will therefore have a clear destination in mind that leads to living in accordance with what most matters to you. Mindfulness helps one to mentally step back and defuse thoughts and feelings that interfere with feeling content, relaxed, and living purposefully. I would be honored to be your guide in this process toward a more fulfilling and contented life.