My Services:

Individual Counseling

I believe the therapeutic alliance between the counselor and client can be a powerful foundation for change and growth. People need a place to blow off steam, make sense of their choices, and make plans for a better future. Perhaps it’s time to carve out a space for your self- care that is not readily available amidst the responsibilities of your daily life.

Problem Areas I can Address:

• Anxiety/Stress
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Depression and other Mood Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Substance Abuse and problems related to significant others’ substance use
• Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders
• Relationship Problems
• Parenting Problems
• Major Life Adjustments
• Pain Management (exploring mind/body connections)

Faith-Based Counseling

Our religious and spiritual beliefs are powerful resources in the therapeutic process of healing and recovery from mental health and substance abuse problems. I welcome an opportunity to help you integrate your spiritual beliefs with approaches to solve problems.

Research is clear that people with strong spiritual beliefs, despite the religious affiliation, heal much more quickly from medical problems and injuries than persons who do not identify with a religious foundation. The studies indicate that religious folks live longer and have more satisfying relationships.

My Christian faith is the primary beacon of light in my life. It shapes my values and guides me in how I relate to others. Sometimes, however, I lose sight of God’s presence in my life and need to be reminded of how powerful that spiritual connection can be. Perhaps you have lost the joy and hope that was a natural part of your faith at one time. Or, perhaps you are finding it difficult to understand how your spiritual beliefs can be a resource to resolving your current problems, guilt, anger, depression, constant anxiety, and relationship conflicts.

In my practice I have often assisted clients through prayer, meditation, and examining the Scriptures. From my perspective faith-based counseling is very compatible with the therapeutic values and approaches summarized in this website. These strategies sometimes help clients recognize, affirm, clarify, and strengthen their spiritual believes and values. It is partly my job to help clients identify how their religious beliefs can be integrated into the change or recovery process. So often worn-out beliefs about ourselves and others (even about God), automatic thoughts, and difficulties regulating emotions create barriers to our capacity to access our natural faith and deeply held values, which indeed are God’s gifts to healing.

Couples and Family Counseling

I offer a systematic approach for couples to rediscover their fondness and admiration for each other. We Examine conflict management styles and develop new ways to discuss and solve problems.

I believe the primary reason for a couples’ discontent with each other is the deterioration of their emotional connection. They sometimes lose the joy of being together, laughing together or simply talking to one another. They become overly critical of one another and often avoid difficult discussions, or these discussions break down in arguments that go nowhere. Couples sometimes develop patterns of approaching and avoiding each other that are self-perpetuating. It becomes like a dance that is out of sync.

If you and your spouse/partner have struggled for some time to get back to where you once were to no avail, please consider getting a professional help. I enjoy the challenge of helping couples rediscover that vital bond by evaluating your strengths and behaviors that create emotional disconnection, and developing a plan based on the information.

It’s amazing how problems become much more manageable when you learn to repair emotional wounds in a regular and timely way and nurture fondness and respect in a regular and timely way.

Sometimes, when families are in distress the participation of each member is the best approach. I welcome an opportunity to explore that option. I have found in particular situations that when each parent and each child are given a voice in a forum where they will be clearly heard, it can lead to breakthroughs in family unity.