Approach to Therapy

I value collaborating with the clients I serve to first clarify their concerns and goals, and to provide effective ways to achieve the satisfying outcomes they desire, personally and in their relationships. The potential benefits of therapy are the reduction or relief from disturbing emotions or behaviors, an increase in the sense of empowerment, and improvement in your ability to make meaningful changes. I have found it is also important to consider that movement towards your desired destination is a journey that involves taking on challenges that can ultimately support growth and resiliency.  Along the way you may also change in ways you had not considered: you may be confronted by or make decisions you would not have previously considered, you may experience a temporary increase in the disturbing emotions or behavior from which you had sought relief as part of the change and growth process. Though your time in therapy cannot guarantee specific results, the effectiveness of your treatment is enhanced by your feedback and active participation in your therapy, while the therapy relationship supports you in not having to take on these challenges alone. The quality of the therapy may depend upon the trust that can be built through open disclosure and discussion, as well as your willingness to question and actively participate in forming the direction and progress of the journey towards your goals.

You are respected as a unique individual with the dynamic capacity to change and grow. With this in mind, I will endeavor to customize with you the approaches and strategies that will most meaningfully address your particular needs and goals. At the same time, I also will respect your right to seek out other therapeutic approaches and therapists that may more appropriately serve your needs.

My counseling perspective is influenced by Christian spiritual principles, while at the same time respecting and honoring each individual’s unique value system and worldview. My theoretical orientation primarily includes research-based Family Systems therapies, Cognitive-Behavioral and Psycho-dynamic approaches to therapy. This means that the influence of your family of origin is considered in understanding how you have formed your perspectives about yourself as well as how you function in the world and in your relationships. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy addresses thoughts, beliefs and action steps that support appropriate changes in the direction of fulfilling your personal therapy goals. Psycho-dynamic therapies involve the application of methods for resolving trauma and/or building personal resiliency. Within these frameworks, I will endeavor to work with you to apply the approaches and strategies that will most meaningfully serve you.