I have been in therapy before, more than once. It changed my life and can change yours too. I entered the field in order to share with others the life-changing power of being in therapy, learning about oneself, and making decisions to change one's way of interacting with the world. I want to share with you what I learned and I consider it a joy to do so. I get excited when I client comes in and reports a change they made for themselves. I see the satisfaction in their eyes and hear the pride in their voice. It's exciting for both of us! You might wonder if you are ready for change, if you can do it, or even if you want it. Here's a thought: If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?
My mission is to provide you, or your child, with the highest quality service in order to help you achieve your goals in therapy and in life. I strive for excellence and integrity in my clinical work and in the running of my business. My treatment approaches are based on sound scientific models of human behavior and proven methods of psychotherapy. I will work with you in a way that builds on your strengths and potential, and challenges you to take your life to the next level.
I believe the most productive therapy environment is one of mutual trust, mutual respect, and collaboration. My approach is down to earth, frank and direct. Yet, I strive to be compassionate and caring. Many clients say I am calm, even "chill." I want a collaborative relationship with you. I like to check in often with you to hear how your therapy is going. I want you to ask questions and to talk with me about what is helpful for you and what is not. That way, you can get the most out of your therapy. You skills and needs shift during your therapy process; let's keep talking about how it's going!
My interest is in helping you discover, determine and express what it is that you need and want most. The approach is work - but fun work - in that it is expressive and exploratory. Some clients even report it is, for them, spiritual: You may get to know your soul better and may become interested in growing your spiritual life as an additional dimension to your process.
I am often asked, "What is your approach?" My process is to listen to you, get to know how you think and feel, learn about what you want to change, and help you see how you get in your own way. My approach is firmly grounded in the scientific method and in techniques that have been proven effective in psychology and psychotherapy. At the same time, I tailor your therapy for you, building on your natural strengths, emotional resources, and resilience. My original training was broad and included psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and existential-humanist influences. I have since gained Gestalt training which has taught me here-and-now techniques including body-awareness, body-movement including breath, using body awareness to learn one's emotions, and noticing how you are relating to yourself and to the other (me) in session. I also use a lot of Interpersonal Psychotherapy to look at how you are relating to those in your life and what roles you are putting yourself in with others. I have learned many techniques in the nearly thirty years of my practice. I have gleaned the best elements of many approaches and honed my skills to apply the most effective methods that suit my client and the current situation.
Ultimately, the therapy process is particular to the moment in which it is occurring and each moment is particular to the two of us and the process that we are co-creating as we go. Therefore, the process does not lend itself easily to written description. The best way to see how I work is to come in for session or two. Then we can discuss what you are wanting, how I usually work, and explore which method and style can be our collaborative process.
The most important part of the training for any accomplished psychotherapist is to have been in one's own therapy and to have made significant improvement in those areas of woundedness, distortion and conflict that have been impediments in the therapist's life. No matter how good the graduate program, book-learning, clinical training and years of experience, without this piece, no psychotherapist is fully prepared to help others. The therapist's un-analyzed blockages become the client's blockages.
I have worked in my personal therapy both individually and in group therapy throughout my career. I continue to go into therapy at regular intervals. I encourage you to inquire about it with me and with any other therapist you are considering seeing. Your provider should be happy to share with you the importance of this part of their training and preparation for the work, and perhaps share a couple of things they gained from their own therapy work. If they aren't, or if they bristle at such questions, let that be food for thought for you in your decision.
People commonly ask about seeing a psychologist versus a counselor or socialworker. What sets doctoral psychologists apart is the breadth and depth of their training. Their training is comprised of five years of graduate school following four years of college including two and one-half years of practica and internship. The clinical psychologist's training comes from the disciplined social science of psychology. It strives to use the scientific method of medical science, of academic research, and of well-founded scientific models of human behavior. Clinical Psychologists excel in the treatment not only in the common and transient problems of living that counselors and social workers commonly work with, but also in the more complex and nuanced problems of thought, emotion and behavior that sometimes warrant deeper exploration. We are particularly skilled in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and providing treatment when the problems are more complex, difficult, disruptive or persistent than people are able to manage on their own.
Even if you do not consider your problem to be very complex, the deep and broad training of a doctoral Clinical Psychologist will be very effective in helping you identify the nature of your problem(s) and find solutions. Of course, some people come in not as a result of difficult problems or crises, but simply to continue personal growth. I love that kind of client, too!
If you're ready to get started, call. Here's the number: 704-776-6438.
Please click the CV tab next and learn about my education, training, and credentials. Thanks!