LMFT, 35 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I'm Steve and kudos to you for embarking on this journey! For over 30 years, I have worked with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, low self esteem, and other issues. In addition to these kinds of issues, I will explore your strengths, wishes, goals, dreams, and your vision of your best self. As I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is important, I am committed to being a warm and authentic person when in sessions with you. To this end, I may share stories or lessons from my own life, may share observations or feelings in reaction to whatever you are doing or saying, and as appropriate, I like to infuse my sessions with humor, lightheartedness, and laughter (to balance off the frequent hardness and heaviness of therapy.) Looking forward to working with you.
The first session is an opportunity to get to know each other, and I will aim to create in you feelings of safety, comfort, and hopefulness. I can answer your questions and tell you about my background, guiding principles, how I do therapy, or other things you may want to know. I will ask you about your strengths, struggles, stressors, and your goals for doing therapy at this particular time in your life.
In addition to using the skills I learned from my academic and professional training, my therapy is informed by my own life experiences (e.g. marriage, divorce, and fatherhood) and also, by my own therapists who have helped me along the way. I have a hopeful and optimistic view of people and in the role of therapy as a catalyst for growth. I will balance your opportunities to think, feel, make decisions, and take actions that support your goals. And, as appropriate, I may crack a joke or two and share a laugh with you!
Some may call me overly optimistic, but I truly believe that we humans are naturally pretty darn lovable, intelligent, flexible, and zestful. If the current version of you doesn't line up with these qualities (and many other positive ones), then my goal is to help close the gap, through listening, exploring beliefs, and giving you the opportunity to express emotions and if you wish, to try out new behaviors. I am best positioned to serve clients who are genuinely committed to their own growth and to the process of therapy.
I had training in CBT as part of my Master's Degree Program. I've also subsequently gone to some workshops and conferences on the subject. Additionally, I've used CBT techniques with clients with whom I previously worked.
I've had training and practice with the Psychodynamic approach in my academic program, as well as in my subsequent professional experience. To whatever degree it is helpful, my therapy usually includes some exploration of the unconscious, past experiences, and the interplay among thoughts, feelings, and acting.
Although I've had no formal training in Compassion Therapy per se, I would say that compassion is a quality that I actively practice with my clients (and with people in general)! I am never judgy or critical and I believe in the healing power of compassion, respect, and kindness.
In addition to the above, I've studied and sometimes use psychodrama and other "action techniques," as well as some techniques to help clients freely and fully emote. I am also eclectic in the sense that I tailor each session to the individual I am seeing, based on their unique needs and goals