My Approach to Helping
Welcome! Due to changes in my schedule, I now may have same week availability. I hope to provide you with some information to give you a sense of the type of services that are provided through Inner Journey Psychological Services and the approach that I use. The motto of Inner Journey Psychological Services is "Getting Healthier from the Inside Out." A comprehensive, holistic model is used to effectively and efficiently help the person deal with what is affecting himherthem. The aim of Inner Journey Psychological Services is to create an atmosphere that is conducive to growth, healing, and wellness. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have extensive training in being able to accurately and effectively help individuals with the problems they are facing. This allows me to discern what is really going on and understand the various problems, patterns, and circumstances that are affecting the person and to utilize the individual's own resources and strengths to help herhimthem improve overall functioning, increase well-being and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Therapy is a balance of creating a safe and supportive environment for the person and providing the necessary resources and tools so the individual can better understand herselfhimselfthemself and be guided to the path of improvement. My approach is more than symptom reduction or making surface-level temporary changes that don't last; it is focused on getting to the root of the underlying issue with the goal of being able to create lasting change. As for my background, I have been licensed as a clinical psychologist in Arizona since 2001. I work with children 3 years and up, adolescents, adults, and seniors. I have worked in a variety of treatment settings and have experience working with various mental health and substance abuse conditions, from those with severe mental health disorders and substance use issues to adjustment problems or relationship difficulties. I work with individuals and families. I treat people who are dealing with life transitions, stress and anxiety issues, attention and concentration problems, academic or workplace difficulties, developmental or childhood issues, relationship issues, parent-child difficulties, identity and sexual issues, abuse and trauma, grief and loss, depression and other mood disorders. I enjoy working with individuals who are trying to make significant, lasting, comprehensive life changes, such as turning around a lifetime pattern of choosing unhealthy behaviors.
My approach to therapy is collaborative and comprehensive in nature; we initially obtain background information and then together devise a treatment plan identifying goals for therapy and listing things in and outside of therapy that may be beneficial. Factors like genetics and family background, developmental and early experiences, environmental, health conditions, medications, substances, nutrition, exercise, involvement in positive activities, social support, spirituality, culture, and community involvement are addressed. To provide the best, comprehensive treatment, care may be coordinated with other medical or mental health professionals, loved ones and family members, or school personnel, and recommendations may be made to community resources that could also be helpful. When the problem is addressed from many different angles, the likelihood of having more significant lasting change is greater. I use a varied approach to therapy that is individualized to the person and hishertheir presenting situation and preferences. I often draw upon a cognitive interpersonal approach, which means that treatment focuses on relationship dynamics and how the person thinks about a situation. Since thoughts are related to feelings and subsequent behavior, feelings and the choices one makes are often explored. A here-and-now focus is used to help the individual explore things from the past and look at hishertheir current situation in the hopes of improving overall functioning and relationships. With some individuals we may address things in a more experiential manner, to not just talk about the issues in a detached remote way, but to make it more real and tangible so the individual can actually see oneself or one's situation differently and have a growth-inducing, healthier and corrective experience right in the session. Through the use of metaphors, play therapy, in-session role play interactions, or art therapy the person can experience new possibilities. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing approaches are also utilized. Thinking errors and maladaptive patterns are identified and alternate ways of thinking are encouraged. Therapy is focused on creating a healthier balance and better way of responding for the person. The individual is met where one is at in the change process, validated, and encouraged to live life according to one's own goals and values. It is believed that inherent within each of us is the potential for growth and healing.