Treatment can help to strengthen our connection with others and aide in developing a better capacity to join with others in a positive and affirming way.
I believe that the core of many of our difficulties is our relationship with ourselves. When this is impacted or altered, we are subject to experiencing uncomfortable emotions or thoughts and we lose our connection with not only ourselves but also with others. From this, we tend to experience a great deal of depression, anxiety and other emotional distress. Therapy can be an exciting and important process to regain this connection with ourselves and build meaning and purpose back into our lives. Treatment can help to strengthen our connection with others and aide in developing a better capacity to join with others in a positive and affirming way.
Often, life changes bring much of this discomfort to the surface. Experiences such as grief or loss, change or end of relationships, or health conditions provide such an important opportunity to deepen our connection with ourselves and the relationships surrounding us. These circumstances, while difficult to experience, can be the doorway into developing a more dynamic life and resonating connection with others.
I strive to provide an environment which is authentic, non-judgmental, warm and collaborative. It is important to me that my clients feel empowered by the therapy experience and I work hard to build a relationship that supports client choice and self-determination.
My therapeutic approach is rooted by existential and humanistic dynamics. I draw from an integrative approach which includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); family systems theory and mindfulness. I think it is important to find the best therapeutic approach for each client vs. imposing on clients a therapeutic approach which may not fit. I am genuine and focused on cultivating a strong working alliance that will allow my clients to attain the goals that brought them in for counseling.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family including children and dog. I enjoy bike riding, reading, listening to music, travelling and hiking.
I tend to do both depending on where a client is and the issues that have brought the client to therapy. I generally focus on the presenting issue initially, but have found that at times this opens up to underlying and historical issues that, when addressed, can bring a more satisfying resolution into a client’s overall life. It is important to address the crises that happen from week-to-week while also being mindful to work on the etiology of presenting concerns.
I follow the lead of my clients. While I give the reins to the client and recognize that this is their individual journey, I also recognize that it can be helpful for me to be more directive at various moments throughout the process.
My strength as a counselor is creating a non-judgmental and comfortable environment. I strive to build a collaborative relationship with clients to facilitate insight and provide awareness regarding other ways of addressing and managing issues that have brought them in for therapy.
My superpower would be being able to be time travel. I would love to be able to travel into different time periods and experience different eras.
I tend to be fairly sarcastic at times and do have a bit of a dark sense of humor.
Irvin Yalom or Roger Waters
