About
I have over 10 years of experience and have acquired numerous areas of expertise, working with family systems, groups, couples, and indivduals, across the lifespan.
I work not only with common modalities of therapy such as CBT and DBT, but also I am a Psychodynamic practioner, meaning I help you to understand what has been going on in your unconscious mind across your developmental experiences. In other words, not only do I help you develop things like alieviating anxiety and depression, improved coping skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills, I also help you to develop insight and understand yourself and others in a new light. It can be fascinating and even fun!
I am available and also on call 7 days a week, afternoons and evenings, for sessions or just checking in. Ours is a shared journey and I care about your health and success!
Highlights
Reviews
Brad C.
Jake P.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I spend the first session learning about your situation, and helping you to gain insight as to why there is struggle and conflict. I will help you to develop assertive, respectful communication skills, interpersonal skills, and confront those cognitive distortions in the back of your mind that drive anxiety, misunderstandings, and wounded feelings. Each time we meet, we will identify tasks you wish to work on toward your goals before we meet again. In doing so, you not only begin to get unstuck in life, but are able to identify your competencies, which is essential for healthy self-esteem.
You will find me to be powerfully encouraging and motivating. Although it is certainly work, it can be fun and exciting, as well. It is a gift you give yourself for life!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am trained in many modalities of therapy, so I can meet your needs with flexibility of approach. This helps keep you from feeling stuck in the process.
I have completed a masters as well as much post-graduate study.
Common therapeutic approach includes: Psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, problem-solving, assertiveness training, interpersonal growth and relationship change, developmental education, medication education, compulsions recovery, addiction recovery, court-mandated probation therapy, individual, group, couples, and family therapy, family and divorce mediation, collaboration with other professionals, such as school, legal, and medical.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
Standard hourly rate is $150-160 for therapy.
Small groups are $100 for 1.5 hours.
Family and Divorce Mediation is $180.
Sliding scale is offered to a select few, based on genuine need.
How did you get started in this business?
I started out mentoring teens and managing a large Pediatric clinic that specialized in ADHD. That led to working with the special needs of Gifted individuals and families.
I started a not-for-profit counseling service and held leadership positions in large compassion ministries, reaching the tri-county area and beyond.
I have worked in group practice, hospital setting, and now own a private practice that serves individuals, groups, couples, and entire family systems across a broad scope of needs.
The human experience is a fascinating one to me, and I have deep compassion for people and toward helping. This energizes me and gives me lasting hope for, and drive to help each person, wherever they are in their healing!
What types of customers have you worked with?
I have worked with all types of struggles, from anxiety and depression, to compulsions like: self-harm, over exercise, hair pulling, screen addiction, and OCD-like traits such as counting, checking, ruminating, and obsessional thoughts.
I often find substance abuse and other forms of self-medication accompany anxiety and depression. These feeling states can be situational, due to a lack of social and communication skills, cognitive distortions, or even part of a personality disorder.
As a family and divorce mediator, I work with small, large, reblending families to better relationships, cooperation, understanding, and communication. As a divorce mediator, I help the adults to work cooperatively to share decision-making about all of the changes divorce will bring; we spell out the terms of your Judgment of Divorce, to the extent we can, and deliver that to your attorneys to submit to the court.
When children are involved, I help you to understand where the children are at developmentally and what their needs are from the parents. This helps spare all parties a lot of typical suffering (and certainly saves a lot of money in the divorce process!) I aim to empower each person with wisdom and skill sets that benefit them in every domain of their lives.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
When looking for a therapist or mediator, ask questions about how that person might help you. Ask about the modalities (therapy styles) that are used and why? Talk up front about your struggles and wants and needs, so the answers can be molded to your specific situation. This is educational but also empowers you to shop around for the most informed fit for you in therapy or mediation.
Ask for a free phone consultation, and get a feel for the therapist's personality. Consider when your schedule will allow you to meet, and where your energy will be at that time. Is it the end of a long work day or in the middle of a weekend afternoon? Are you stressed, discouraged, feeling defeated? Do you need your therapist to help you cope with anxieties? Motivate you out of your doldrums? Find self-defeating cognitive distortions (most people have these)?
Remember, this is your life, and you are the client. We serve you! Be discerning; you are looking for life changes, not just quick fixes.
Best wishes upon your journey!