My Approach to Helping
I allow the people I work with to influence the pace for counseling sessions, working together to determine their unique challenges, developing goals and defining how we will meet those goals. My philosophy of helping comes from a character strengths, virtues, values, total health & wellness, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive perspective. I help people focus on what they are doing right not what is wrong with them. I believe that actions, thoughts, beliefs, and values are guided by many factors that are unique to each individual. I practice existential, mindful, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motivational therapies. I work with adults and adolescents in individual sessions.
More Info About My Practice
My office hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm (last appointment 7pm)
Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (last appointment 5pm)
Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (last appointment 4pm)
I use the latest in counseling and therapy technology for providing additional value to my services, including the latest in AI technology. I manage two blog pages, and a YouTube channel. I ask you to practice skills and complete homework in between sessions.
The software I use is HIPAA compliant, private, secure, and confidential. Zoom Professional Version is used for telehealth sessions; Hushmail is used for electronic forms and secure electronic mail communication; Therapy Notes LLC is used for billing, insurance claims, and electronic health records; Therapy Portal is used for scheduling, messaging, and a client portal as well as a merchant account payment service; Quenza is the client engagement portal and app. Quenza is the software I use to provide clients with exercises, lessons, meditations, videos, plans, worksheets, and handouts, so they can put their therapy and health and wellness plan into action in their daily life. Quenza has a chat feature which allows secure text communication between me and my client. Quenza also has a journal (notes) feature for me and my clients to record daily reflections and notes from sessions.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
In addition to my extensive education, training, and experience, I have received additional instruction with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, Sexual Health, Gender Identity Issues, Nutritional Coaching, Fitness Coaching, Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Mindfulness Teacher Training, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Seeking Safety Program, and Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
I love watching people realize they have the solution to their problems. I love watching people realize what they have control over and what they don't. I love watching people change the unhelpful ways they think, feel, and behave. I love watching people advocate for their needs and break down societal and cultural barriers impeding their health and wellness. I love watching people grow into the best versions of themselves they can possibly be. I love taking the journey with them as their witness, guide, confidant, and trip companion.
My Therapy Focus
I adhere to an integrated approach to helping. My therapy and coaching clients both get access to my health and wellness program. This program changes and improves an individuals view of their total health and wellness. The program addresses several areas of a person's life. The domains of health and wellness covered in this program include: physical; mental; emotional; spiritual; shadow; family; interpersonal; sexual; occupational; social; cultural; and environmental. The program includes philosophies from many different scientific and academic communities.
How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist
I am a person in long term recovery. I have been abstinent from alcohol and illicit substances since June 2, 2012. I self identify as a person with Autism Traits and Attentional Executive Funcioning Differences. I have also experienced trauma, depression, and anxiety and been in and out of therapy and life coaching since 2004. I have participated in the same approaches I use with my clients.
