My Approach to Helping
I began working in this field almost 30 years ago because I wanted to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Over the years, I have worked with countless individuals, couples, families, and groups to help them improve their quality of life. Through my experience, I have learned that:
Although many may appear to be similar demographically in terms of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, etc., everyone brings hisher own individual histories to therapy -- histories that distinguish each client as a unique individual.
As a result, I welcome all clients, and I recognize that each client will bring hisher own history and values to therapy. I commit to working within each individual's system of values as I try to help the individual draw from hisher history to improve hisher quality of life. My two primary metrics are: a) tangible improvements in an individual's life, and b) the individual's feelings and understanding regarding change and the process of change. Like physical therapists and coaches who are willing to challenge their athletes to perform at full potential, I am willing to challenge my clients to reach their full potential in life. But my guiding philosophy is: "challenge by choice" -- I will only as far and as fast as my clients are comfortable.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I am particularly good at helping clients implement and maintain sustainable change in their lives. Of course, meaningful change is the result of a process that involves a shared commitment from the clients and the clinician. I begin by developing an understanding of where the client is situationally, emotionally, environmentally, relationally, etc. I have found that I work well at the intersections of a client's tangible situation and hisher feelings and expectations about the situation. I work with clients to develop realistic goals, plans, timelines, and milestones related to meeting those goals. I then help clients to implement plans, measure progress and celebrate success. I also help clients recognize the longer term changes that may be needed in order to maintain the improvements once therapy has concluded. Many of these longer term changes tend to involve patterns of thinking; the type, quality, and availability of family and peer support; practical methods to escape challenging situations; etc. In the end, my clients are able to implement and maintain positive change and personal healing that lead to an improved quality of life.
Change is a choice. A great therapist helps clients identify and implement the choices that create the lives they want to live given their unique circumstances.
Call today and let's get started on the best pathway for your life.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
Many times clients reach out to me because they are stuck (emotionally, professionally, in a particular phase of life, or regarding patterns of thinking or behavior that they want to change) -- and more often than not, the clients are justifiably concerned and losing hope. I really enjoy helping people to find appreciable, tangible hope -- hope that is an outgrowth of practical processes and choices that lead to real change. I value the fact that clients that "graduate" are able to sustain the positive improvements over time on their own, are able to serve as examples and inspiration to others in their homes and communities, and can often inspire a measure of hope in others. I simply enjoy being a part of the success stories that therapy allows.
