Counseling

 

The relationship between counselor and client is the key to a successful experience and must be based on mutual trust and respect. Counseling as a collaborative process and we will work together to establish goals and desired outcomes.  The therapeutic tools we will use are research based and tested, and will be used as needed and useful to explore and resolve your concerns. It is important to receive new tools for living, but it is just as important to learn to use the tools effectively with the support of counseling.

 

I will ask you lots of questions at first to get to know you better and gain the information needed to understand you needs, obstacles, and your strengths. I will try to get a comprehensive a history including relationships, medical concerns (including medications), alcohol and drug use, what brings you joy, hobbies, and and current stressors. I will ask you what you see as your immediate concerns and what kind of process you think will be most helpful. We will discuss goals and outcomes you want and make sure you have the time to ask any questions you may have.

 

I believe that most concerns can be resolved in a relatively brief and purposeful process. Issues will get the time and attention needed, so the length of the process will vary. It is important that you feel you are making progress and we will talk about what making progress looks like so we both understand and agree.

 

Expertise:

We all live in a network of relationships: family, partners, friends, organizations, community and work to name a few. Sometimes we need help managing these relationships in positive, constructive ways. It is important to understand and anticipate the impact that making personal change can have on our relationships and to work with all our relationships to support the kinds of changes we want to make in our lives. Counseling can provide support in navigating change and managing relationships openly, positively and for the benefit of all concerned.  I practice Gottman Method Couples Therapy as the primary method for couples work.  It is by far the most accessible, useful and effective method I have found.

 

There are many times of transition during a person’s life. Births and deaths, relationship beginnings and endings, career changes, job beginnings and endings are just a few of the times of transition we all face from time. These are times that can fundamentally change our lives, make us want to re-examine our values and priorities. They can be confusing and leave us at a loss as to what to do. They can also be exciting and offer opportunities to change how we live; and often all of this at once! I enjoy working with people through these times so that they become gateways to more fulfillment, depth and meaning in life.

 

Aging is a fact of life. There is much more to aging than getting old! Life has many phases and changes as we age, learn and evolve. Moving from student to independent adult; from single to being in a committed relationship; to being a parent and ultimately into latter stages of life and its end are all stages and ages that can be baffling, confusing and very challenging as well as immensely rewarding. Counseling can help successfully navigate these times.

 

Moving into later years presents many unique concerns. We face a decline in physical capacity, loss of peers and friends or perhaps a spouse. Older adults often face marginalization simply for no other reason than because they are older. Later years are times of many changes, adjustments and transitions that can be difficult and confusing and people can be left at a loss as to how to respond. Counseling can help.

 

As the “baby boomer” population ages and approaches the ages that traditionally meant retirement, many find themselves closely examining what retirement means. It clearly means something different today than for previous generations. Today’s older adults are more active and involved in profoundly redefining what the so-called golden years are about. We are also sometimes trading raising children for caring for parents. And, many are finding their children back home after college, sometimes with spouses and children in tow. It can be very stressful and may mean having to surrender long held goals of later years filled with activity that is filling personal needs and returning to taking care of the needs of others. Again, counseling can help cope with these changes.