My Approach to Helping
If you really get down to it, I think that you're whole, perfect, complete & I'm just a facilitator of your healing. I realize that you might not agree with that. But it really guides my stance. I think it is why I'm not judgmental. I\'m not perfect either and we are all works in progress. I'm excited about things I learn that helped me and other clients so that's what I want to share with you.
Therapy involves thinking and talking, feeling and being courageous.
I’ve learned how to support that by making it safe, curious, and even fun and playful at times.
If you're tired of being anxious and if you want to learn new ways, then you can do it with the right guidance and with practice.
Depression is really so difficult on you, but there are ways to help yourself more and gain relief. Your relationship may be in distress, but therapy can help you with skills that might get it back on track (communication, listening, and acceptance, for example).
The type of therapy I do helps you to achieve these types of results because it is focused on helping you to slow down and really take a look at your ideas. Through honest and gentle questioning, I'm going to teach you to think through things in a different way that empowers and enlivens you!
More Info About My Practice
Due to Covid, I've been offering therapy and coaching utilizing telehealth for our mutual safety.
I've been in practice since 1996. I am happy to discuss fees, types of services, and treatment philosophies in more detail with you.
You can also get to know me by attending any of my meetup groups: Dallas Club Fearless Meetup, The Dallas REBT-CBT Meetup, and The Dallas Self-Exploration Self-Empowerment meetup.
Though I'm an out-of-network provider, I provide my patients an in insurance receipt that has the coding needed so you can file for out-of-network benefits (assuming their insurance covers outpatient mental health). Fees vary based upon the service rendered.
Life coaching is a totally separate service from therapy and is sold as a package.
I offer options to participate in individual, couples, family, and/or groupwork virtually. I'm also creating an online course to help you if you have anxiety, and with plans for launching by the end of 2020.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
Because this is a confidential relationship, you can discuss what's on your mind freely. You don't have to worry about being judged for who you are when you work with me because I understand how hard life can be sometimes and tend to admire people for their resilience rather than judge them. It is helpful to talk through and work on the things that are troubling you, so my goal is to provide a space for this, teach you skills if needed, or simply be a source of another perspective. It is a great way to get to know yourself, to heal your past, and to begin to create the best possible future.
My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
The purpose of psychotherapy is to provide you with a place to think, feel, talk and explore without judgment. I use conversation and gentle but effective questions to guide you to your own answers. Sometimes we will work together to challenge your limiting beliefs about yourself, allowing you not only relief, but greater emotional freedom.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
I love it when you let go of being so hard on yourself. I love when you realize the goodness in you. I love it when you take a step toward what you really want. I feel satisfied when you grow into the larger YOU you've been becoming. I love it when you're excited because you see yourself achieving results when you've formerly been stuck. I love when you send me an email telling me it was totally worth it to do this. I love when you appreciate yourself for taking charge of your life and welcome in all the good that you've been creating!
My Role as a Therapist
I am here to listen, to facilitate, to teach, to encourage, to allow space for your feelings to emerge...to hold space for you to heal.
I'm also here to hear what you're not saying and wonder aloud about this. We can talk about anything in therapy, because it is your space for you. I'm here to teach you skills you might need, and to show you how much you already know.
What I Usually Need to Know to Help
During our first session, I'll usually need to know information about your goals, your current challenges, the history behind them, and what is currently getting in the way. I prefer to perform a clinical diagnostic interview during our initial time together so that I can appreciate your history & how it plays into your present life. I will also want to know what you want to get out of therapy & we will work on setting clear goals.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
Trust your intuition. You're perceiving a lot more than you realize. Einstein said that intuition was intelligence plus experience. You know more than you probably realize, just by reading a few words and watching a video. That being said, also do your homework and make sure you've got the basics covered (good education, commitment, desire to help, positive outlook, confident, and HUMAN, please!). Funny facts are that I've had clients pick me because of my voice or something they read in one of my books...or something they saw on a Facebook post--it can be as random as that, but the "click" can reveal a lot.
Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work
I'm thankful to have learned directly from founders in my fields of study. These include: the founder of REBT (voted to be the most influential psychologist of the century) Dr. Albert Ellis; the founder of CBM, Dr. Don Meichenbaum; the founders of CBT Drs. Judith & Aaron Beck. In the personal development world, I've trained under bestselling author of the Success Principles, Jack Canfield & continue to train under him. I also receive my own coaching from bestselling author of 101 Ways to Motivate Yourself, author Steve Chandler. I'm also influenced by other authors I read, such as Byron Katie and Hale Dwoskin.
