My Approach to Helping
My approach to helping individuals is caring, non-judgmental and practical. I specialize in various types of therapeutic tools that help reduce frustrations, anxiety, and depression to give you the confidence to pursue your goals. Even when you sincerely want your life to feel differently, sometimes you need more information and support to make those changes happen. I’m here to help with that. Changing your life can create anxiety and this is a normal feeling we all experience. Normal anxiety can be occasional but it can also be frequent and constant and sometimes almost paralyzing. During stressful times, anxiety may seem to be blocking you from making those life changes you desire, and sometimes feelings of sadness or depression follow close behind.
I help you through stressful times and difficult life transitions using a combination of therapies suited to your unique personality and individual needs. Each of these therapies is designed to generate the strength and motivation that you need to get out of the stuck places like anxiety and depression and on to the life that you want.
More Info About My Practice
In my work with individuals, I draw from a variety of the best evidence-based psychotherapies for facilitating change. This reflects my sincere belief in the uniqueness of each person and their ability to learn to lead happier and healthier lives. I have great respect for each of my clients and while I review the past, I tend to focus more on the present and the future with emphasis on motivation and solutions that help them with greater awareness, and the confidence needed to move forward in solving their issues.
Depending on my clients' needs, some of the therapies I include, where appropriate: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Couples Therapy, Stress Management Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Management Therapy, and Positive Psychology.
My educational background included a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with an additional graduate level specialization in Chemical Dependency, and a Masters in Psychology with a another specialization in Stress Management.
In the addiction treatment I do, I work both with clients and their families and friends. In my 20+ years working with dual diagnosis and addictions, I have had the benefit of working in every level of care -- from substance abuse prevention to in-patient rehab treatment programs, PHP, IOP, and outpatient. One of my sincere beliefs is that there is no one way that works for everyone. Not everyone needs rehab and each situation deserves special consideration. In short, that means there are no "have to's", "must's", or "should's." I apply an approach that is non-judgmental, with empathy and compassion for my clients, while bringing them the best type of care they need, and of course, never giving up.
In addition to my addiction work with individuals and couples, I have added to my practice a 4 session private training for parents with adult children who continue to relapse on alcohol and drugs. This training is designed for those parents who would prefer private sessions with a therapist instead of groups and meetings. This training, called Private Education for Parents (PEP), is educational and based on my 20+ years of experience working with adult clients with addictive disorders. As a parent, you will learn what to do and what not to do, how to talk to your adult child in a way that promotes openness, how to manage your personal reactions to their relapses, and what’s next when more help is needed. The end goal is improved family relationships and the prevention of parental burnout.
With general Couples Counseling work, I see my role as helping to develop healthy person-to-person emotional connections, without sacrificing individuality. Each person’s personality needs to be recognized and respected. In initial sessions, much of my focus begins with changing communication style and learning to negotiate conflict. To restore or develop trust and connection, I find that people need to first literally learn to talk to each other differently. This is not as easy as it may sound, but it is possible and it is the foundation of maintaining healthy relationships. Once respectful and caring communication is established, improved emotional connections become possible and problems can be resolved.
