My Approach to Helping
I employ a collaborative, solution-focused approach to help you get unstuck and get on with your life. Experience has taught me the best thing anyone can do to help themselves is take action. Action creates momentum, which leads to more action. Getting the ball rolling is the only way to create change. I can help you learn to recognize and modify the patterns, beliefs, and behaviors holding you back, things which may be preventing you from taking action. We will work collaboratively to help you develop the tools, resources, and motivation you need to move forwards. Together, we will work to help you create the life you want.
If you don't plant anything in your garden, nothing will grow and it will remain empty (or full of weeds). Metaphorically speaking, my job is to help you figure out what to plant, and to care for the garden that is your life. With effort, empathy, self-care, and compassion, you can grow all the wonderful, fulfilling things you wish for. Giving me a call or sending me an email is a great first step.
More Info About My Practice
* I work with individual adults who are not actively abusing substances, including alcohol
* I specialize in self esteem, depression, anxiety, adjustment, relationships, and stage of life issues
* I am an LGBTQ ally
* Experienced working with people from all areas of the motion picture industry: crew, writers, editors, artists, talent, executives, etc.
* Lifetime member of the EITF (Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder), now managed by GoodTherapy.org
* CAMFT member for 10+ years
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
These are the issues I work with most: anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-advocacy, relationship issues, life changes, stage of life issues, stress, career changes, loneliness, divorce recovery, and finding a path that makes you happy. I do this work because I genuinely love helping people build the self-esteem needed to take control of their lives. A lot of this involves helping people differentiate from their families of origin, or move on from being stuck, either in the past or in a present rut. I am a firm believer in taking action, and I know the only way to change anything is to do things differently. Sometimes, making changes requires examining your motivation for why you have been doing things the way you have in the past, Figuring out what is keeping you stuck is an important step in the process, one I can help with.
I work with people in many fields. I myself have worked in a variety of capacities in the business world, including: information technology, project management, business and systems analysis, and marketing. I know what it is like to deal with big responsibilities, deadlines, overload, pressure, terrible bosses, workplace bullies, RIFs, etc. I have been there. I can help you learn to manage the stress and find a healthy work-life balance.
Film and television: I work with people from many areas of the motion picture industry: creative, crew, executives, production, writers, editors, art dept., etc. I understand the demands a career in the industry places on you. I can help you find healthy ways to manage the stress, figure out what self-care looks like in your world, and make the most of your precious free time so you can lead a happy, healthy life.
My Role as a Therapist
My role as a therapist is to be in your corner, helping you address the issues which brought you here today. I can help you figure out why you may be stuck, and help you identify resources and strategies to get you unstuck. We will work together to help you make the changes necessary to create the life you really want. I can help you chart your path, set goals, and identify specific actions to take to get you moving in the right direction.
My Therapy Focus
First and foremost, my focus is always on helping you achieve the goals you establish in therapy.
I am a Collaborative, Solution-Focused therapist who employs Narrative and Family Systems theory and interventions. I studied postmodern methodologies as areas of professional concentration in graduate school, where the overall program was largely rooted in Family Systems theory. I have also studied Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Positive Psychology. I utilize methods and interventions from each as needed.
There are a LOT of theoretical models of psychotherapy out there, and trying to figure out which one is best for you can be very confusing. There is no best answer for everyone. These are the methods I primarily employ, largely because they empower my clients to become their own agents of change.
Being primarily post-modern in my approach to therapy, I let you steer the therapeutic process in the directions you most need it to go. Collaboratively, we help you grow by taking the following into account: your personal narrative, resilient traits, ability to adapt, access to internal and external resources, experiences within your family of origin, and how your past experiences have shaped your beliefs and patterns of behavior. I utilize Family Systems Therapy to explore your lived experiences in your family system in terms of the meaning they create in your life and how they affect your relationships.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
Research clearly indicates the most important factor contributing to success in therapy is the relationship you build with your therapist. To determine if we might be a good fit, I offer a free phone consultation (usually about 15 minutes) to discuss your needs and get acquainted. If we seem like a good fit, we can schedule a session and take it from there. It is easy to get started: just give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to speaking with you and discovering how I can help.
Please note Change Within Reach, Inc. and Matthew McLean Family Therapy, Inc. are not affiliated in any way.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.
