My Approach to Helping
Everyone gets stuck sometimes. Often, we can figure it out ourselves or we can rely on friends or family to help us through it. Occasionally, however, our problems are too big or complicated, or simply won't go away on their own. We might not want to share them with people we know and prefer a private space to work things out. This is where counseling can change a person's life.
I'm a problem solver who likes people. I don't see my clients as "defective," but rather people in need of solutions. My approach to counseling is hopeful, creative, and respectful. People sometimes feel ashamed of their problem, like they've done something wrong. This is especially true of parents and families, or where addiction is involved. I don’t believe that. As a husband and parent myself, I get that life is tough sometimes. I believe that we’re all doing the best we can with what we have. I’m here to help.
I practice from a systems perspective, which means that I tend to focus on relationships and how they affect our emotions, thoughts, and actions. This may involve me working with the whole family or couple, but it also means that relationships are often the focus of my work with individual clients. I try to help my clients gain insight to better understand their problem, and always keep possible solutions at the forefront of our work together. I will provide you with ideas and suggestions, but will also help you explore your own solutions. I recognize that it’s your life; my job is to help you live it more joyfully and peacefully.