Helping People Find Therapists & Advocating for Ethical and Healthy Therapy & Marriage Counseling Practices

My Approach to Helping

My theoretical grounding is the family systems perspective, and my methods are cognitive and behavioral, as well as emotionally supportive. I use a variety of readings and other assignments, depending on client needs and preferences.
Some clients come with concerns about current relationships; with them I use techniques to help them better manage their emotions and improve their conflict management and other relationship skills. Some clients want help overcoming difficult experiences of the past; with them I use a variety of techniques for resolving the pain of memories. Some clients need help adjusting to significant changes as they move from one phase of life to another. With these clients, I help them sort through their values and options, and develop a plan for the next phase. Many clients simply need a place to talk with a nonjudgmental, supportive listener; with these clients, I feel privileged to be present as they sort through their many feelings and thoughts.

 

More Info About My Practice

Clients who see me have the option of using their insurance (I file for them) or paying privately. I am in-network for most of the mental health provider networks.
I have two offices, both in professional office buildings: the first, in northwest Evanston, is near the Old Orchard Exit of I-94; and the second, in Bloomingdale, is near the Lake Street Exits of I-355 and I-290. Hours include evening appointments.
You may leave confidential messages on my voice mail. I take calls myself and return messages promptly.

 

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

My background and personal experience enrich my clinical work: over twenty years of teaching psychology and family science, and fifteen years of clinical practice. This includes many years teaching life-span human development, working with all ages, and writing and presenting on parent and family relationship topics. I have a broad education background, with a PhD in psychology and education, one master’s degree in education, and another master’s degree in marriage & family therapy. Over the years I have attended professional trainings by many leaders in the fields of human development and parenting (including Lawrence Kohlberg, Jay Haley, Thomas Gordon, Thomas Phelan, and Ron Taffel); marriage and family therapy (including Edwin Friedman, Michael Kerr, Harriet Lerner, Peggy Papp, Sue Johnson, and Mary Jo Barrett); and individual and group therapy (including David Augsburger, Albert Ellis, Donald Meichenbaum, Stanton Samenow, and Steven Vasquez).

 

How Psychotherapy Can Help

Because of my grounding in Bowen family systems thought, my work with clients focuses on managing anxiety, remaining calm and thoughtful, and coming to feel more self-accepting and empowered. Key concepts and terms in this work include increasing one’s differentiation of self (as opposed to feeling too emotionally reactive to others); establishing healthy interpersonal boundaries (as opposed to being invasive with others or allowing others to be too invasive); maintaining appropriately open, comfortable, and direct connections with others (rather than being stuck in rigid, cutoff, or triangulated relationships); remaining calm and thoughtful (as opposed to getting overwhelmed with anxiety); and taking more responsibility for oneself (as opposed to blaming others and living as a “victim”).

 

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

Through my own life’s journey, I have become more accepting and supportive of those in emotional pain, having gone through my own times when I needed acceptance and support; culturally aware, having lived and worked in other countries; gender sensitive; and a man of faith.

Services I Provide

• Individual Therapy & Counseling
• Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Consultation

Ages I Work With

• Teens
• Adults
• Elders

Languages I Speak

• English

Groups I Work With

Parents, couples, individuals, young adults

Therapy Approaches I Use

• Anger Management
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy /REBT
• Emotional Freedom Technique
• Emotional Transformation Therapy
• Family Systems Therapy
• Integration of different therapy models
• Positive Psychology
• Solution Focused Therapy
• Systems Theory /Therapy

Concerns & Issues I Help With

• Identity Issues
• Attachment
• Trauma
• Abuse: Emotional, Physical, or Sexual
• Life Changes
• Social Skills & Problems
• Health & Body
• Emotion Management
• Anxiety, Fear, & Stress
• Depression & Mood
• Family Problems
• Childhood & Adolescence
• Relationships & Marriage
• Self-Esteem & Confidence
• Occupational & Academic Issues
• Spirituality