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Counseling for Individuals, Couples, and Families
Acknowledging pain and its negative influence in our
lives takes great courage. Fortunately the rewards of therapy can be deeply transformative and last long past
your final counseling session. I am confident that working together we can curtail the culprits undermining
your happiness.
What to expect. In our introductory session, I'll listen to the
concerns you have and what has been helpful in the past. As I learn more, I'll suggest ways we can work together.
My approach is direct, compassionate and supportive.
Along with conventional
talk-therapy, it is sometimes helpful to incorporate gentle movement, mind-body awareness practices, and the use of art
materials. These approaches can improve self-awareness by connecting thoughts and emotions to the body's
response to distress. We'll work together at a pace appropriate to your comfort level. My goal for those
seeking help is to facilitate a safe exploration of strategies that foster greater satisfaction and contentment
in life .
Workbook Resources. I may recommend that we use a workbook along
with our weekly sessions. These are published by professionals in their field and can be very helpful for adding
structure to our sessions and strengthening the use of new skills in your daily life. Here and after each section
below you can see the ones I find beneficial. All are readily available through amazon.com and local book stores.
Individual
Counseling
When life presents challenges it's natural
to seek help from people we love and trust. At times, a professional counselor can also add significant value to
your circle of support by providing the objective expertise and confidentiality needed to more fully address your concerns.
As your therapist I can offer the benefits of what experience and research have shown to
be effective in managing the kinds of difficulties you now face. Our work together will help you tap into your
strengths and bypass the pitfalls on your path to personal happiness. You'll develop healthier, more satisfying
ways to meet all that life presents you with -- the good, the bad and the in-between of day to day living.
Counseling
for Couples
Sometimes partnering with someone we love is challenging. It also affords one of life's most valuable
opportunities for learning more about ourselves. Balancing partner needs and differences is not always easy.
When difficulties emerge, confusion can set in, making it unclear how to serve the best interests of partners both
as individuals and as a couple.
In couples sessions both
participants find they have a safe, supportive place to voice their concerns. Partners learn and practice
ways of listening that help each other feel truly heard. We'll also practice ways of speaking, so each can listen
without feeling the urge to either withdraw and shut down or "arm, defend, and counter-attack."
Together we’ll map out what contributes to a mutually satisfying relationship for you both
and identify the derailers, such as anger and pent-up emotions to watch out for. As partners learn how to best support
their individual needs while keeping their relationship strong, a door opens. With commitment and practice couples
can enjoy a more gratifying and sustainable relationship together.
 New Partners and Newly Weds Congratulations! Whether you're
just thinking about moving in together or recently tied the knot, you can benefit from this educational 4 week
counseling series. Based on John Gottman's 7 Priniciples for Making Marriage Work you'll
learn the way to effectively communicate, solve problems, and manage the common challenges married couples face. Learn
to fine tune the skills you already have for keeping the love alive.
Mindful Parenting
Parenting is easily the toughest job you'll ever have. In our sessions togther we'll review the
issues concerning you and your role as parent. I'll introduce several home practice strategies to try out and together
we'll develop a comfortable, practical way to manage the challenges you face each day. The mindful awareness practices
will improve communication, deepen your parent-child relationship, and add more ease into everyday family life.
Family Counseling
With all the expectations and demands at school,
work, and home it's easy to feel lost in the pressures and internal fears of losing family unity. Add
a crisis to the mix and family life becomes very tough. My goal is to help families sort out the complex issues
weighing them down and find caring, effective ways of addressing the often conflicting needs of children, parents, and extended
family.
In family sessions each member's perspective is valued, allowing all
issues of concern to be openly voiced. Parents and children may need to use new ways of listening and speaking so that
communication becomes more helpful and less hurtful. Everyone may need to become more mindful about their
thoughts and actions. I'll offer practical skills that release family members from the "blame-game" shifting
their energy into applying new approaches for tackling tough issues. When everyone works together, families
emerge from counseling feeling closer, stronger, and better equipped to handle the crises and the daily hassles of everyday
living.
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