Walter Bowers,LPC

My name is Walter Bowers and I am a licensed professional counselor or LPC for short. I have been licensed for more than 20 years and have more than 25 years of counseling experience. I have helped many clients make positive choices regarding problems that they have presented in counseling sessions with me. The approach that I use is rational choice and is based on Dr. Robert Glasser's Choice Theory. Dr. Glasser's Choice Theory has been and continues to be an effective approach for helping clients to gain a better focus for living healthier lives. The theoretical approach helps clients to see that they can't change the past but have the ability to make better choices thereby preventing them from reliving the the past over and over again. Clients are taught ways to avoid being stuck thinking about things that they can't change. I teach clients how to apply the theory to their own lives which allows them to realize that the only things that they can control are their own behaviors. This is important to know because many times people who have come to see me were too focused on trying to change other people or too worried about events from the past. They were unable to function in the present because of being stuck on yesterday. I use a reality-based approach in counseling sessions that provides a foundation where you learn that the only behaviors that you will be able to control are your own. My client focus is on individuals who struggle with relationship issues which include infidelity and trust issues. In addition, I provide services for those who are stressed for various reasons. Clients have been treated for anxiety, depression, and grief. Moreover, confusion about life choices and societal stress are also addressed using Glasser's theoretical approach. In a nutshell, the client focus includes anger management, depressed moods, grief, couples counseling, panic attacks, and conflict. The environment for clients is one where they get the chance to express themselves in a judgment-free setting. Clients are encouraged to share things in session that they might find uncomfortable sharing with others. Clients are often given the opportunity to set the tone for the sessions which helps to ensure that their concerns are the focus of the sessions. I ask questions which helps clients to engage more. Clients have indicated that they appreciate being listened to and many times desire to know that they are actively involved in the introduction of interventions that will help them. This helps the clients to see that they are actively involved which leads to feelings of empowerment for the clients. The environment is welcoming and client-centered. I was led to start a journey in counseling more than 30 years ago after experiencing a number of negative outcomes in life. As I worked through one challenge after another, I discovered that people actually have the ability to solve many of their problems when they have the proper assistance. I became convinced that people find it easier to blame their current conditions on others instead of examining situations more closely to see how they may have contributed to their own plights. I became convinced that it is possible to help others through dedicated efforts that help people develop useful ways to manage their concerns. I find that helping people is invaluable as the benefits can be life-long. Clients present in the sessions where they introduce me to the concerns that led them there. After listening, the client is taught about Glasser's theoretical approach which opens the door for them to see what their abilities are. This serves as a way to empower the client. Once the client learns that they have what is needed to move forward to achieve positive outcomes, the client is provided an opportunity to identify what might be some useful choices regarding the presenting problems. After that foundation is laid, the focus is turned to helping the client choose some useful steps for achieving their goals. The first session allows the client and me to become acquainted so that we both feel comfortable interacting. The client will be given the chance to talk about themselves before actually discussing details about the presenting concerns. Clients will be asked to share their interests along with other information they may want to volunteer. The first session is designed to help create an atmosphere of concern about the client's purpose for being in the session. Clients can expect to be asked various questions.