Therapist Profile

My Approach to Helping

I believe that symptoms are often developed as coping tools and solutions to events and emotions that clients lack skills in dealing with. This is especially true for survivors of trauma including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as well as other types of trauma involving loss and grief. Symptoms (physical, emotional, mental, and behavioral) are also often metaphors for problems being experienced on another level within the individual, couple, or the family system. Eventually these symptoms become the problem rather than the solution and clients often seek therapy for symptoms relief. In addition to teaching new coping skills that serve to reduce symptoms, whenever appropriate, clients are also helped to resolve the underlying issues that lead to symptom development.

I utilize an integrated approach that allows for thorough clinical assessment combined with individualized treatment planning. Depending on the presenting issues, therapy may either be brief solution oriented focused sessions, or a longer term therapy process. Therapy, while sometimes painful, should be a safe and overall rewarding experience for the clients.

With over 29 years of clinical experience, I work well with both adults and adolescents, and have frequently had positive results with clients who have not had success in previous treatment settings. I provide individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy treating both mental health and substance abuse problems. I also offer adjunct equine assisted psychotherapy to clients involved in ongoing therapy with me. Counseling for personal growth and coaching services are also available. In addition, I facilitate various seminars in the community, occasional intensive weekend workshops and retreats for specific client populations, and both family and executive interventions for interrupting addictive or other self-destructive behaviors.

My solo private practice, Veritas Counseling Center, LLC, was first opened in 1991 and the office has been maintained at the same location in Northwest Phoenix ever since. The word Veritas, is taken from the Latin word verity and is used as a symbol for Truth. Truth, in this sense, basically means the absence of denial. At Veritas Counseling Center, clients are gently encouraged to break through denial that keeps them trapped in dysfunctional patterns so that they may move towards becoming their True Selves and being True to themselves.

I also offer presentations and facilitate training workshops for other therapists on various topics including working with incest/sexual abuse survivors and working with challenging oppositional and delinquent adolescents in outpatient settings. I utilize a down to earth yet professional style, in both my therapy practice and my training that allows the participants to feel comfortable and relaxed.

For additional information regarding specific problem areas treated please visit the website at http://www.veritascounselingcenter.com

In addition to my private practice, I also offer free monthly suggestions for parents of adolescents, survivors of incest and sexual abuse, and stress management tips. These free monthly tips can be seen at the following websites:
http://www.forparentsofadolescents.com http://www.survivorssuggestions.com http://www.calmingmeditations.com

I've also published various self-help booklets and relaxation and guided imagery cd's. These products as well as self-help books by other authors are available on a separate website. For additional information and ordering, please visit the store, a secure ecommerce site, at http://www.hidingstar.com

Immediate online appointment scheduling available by visiting the website at http://www.veritascounselingcenter.com

More Info About My Practice

I no longer do any direct billing of insurance companies. All sessions are private fee and payable each session. Insurance receipts for potential out of network reimbursement are provided upon request.

Immediate online appointment scheduling available by visiting the website at http://www.veritascounselingcenter.com