POPULATIONS SERVED AND THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING

In my counseling practice, I provide individual, group, family, and relationship counseling serving adolescents and adults.  I work with a variety of disorders including but not limited to mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, and personality disorders.  I work with individuals, couples, and families dealing with common life experiences such as death, grief, academic and occupational issues, relationship issues, parenting problems, and social interaction difficulties.

I use a wide variety of methods and techniques when working with clients.  Every client is different, however, so my approach varies from client to client.  The techniques I use are always intended to assist the client to understand or express self more fully, gain insight, make desired changes, and assess current behaviors and "quality world."  I consistently use cognitive-behavioral technqiues, positive psychology, and mindfulness training in working with individuals of all ages.  Reality Therapy techniques are also helpful for evaluation of present behavior, exploration of willingness to change, development of specific plan to change, exploration of awareness of how life would be different, and commitment to follow through with the plan.  I borrow techniques from Adlerian theory in working with families such as genograms, family constellations, and homework assignments.  In working with children and adolescents, I use innovative techniques including games, art activities, bibliotherapy, play, storytelling, roleplaying, music, and journaling. 

Types of therapy

I specialize on many different types of therapies.

• Individual Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Group Therapy

Cancellations

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call the office to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance.  If I do not receive such advance notice, you will be responsible for paying for the session(s) you missed.  If you are late for an appointment, I will be happy to see you for the remaining time available, but you will be expected to pay for the full appointment time.  Clients with Medicaid or clients who receive counseling services based on the sliding scale will be assessed a $10.00 fee for missed appointments.

I do not take on clients whom, in my professional opinion, I cannot help using the techniques and treatment methods that I have training and experience in applying to the counseling process.  If I am unable to fulfill your counseling needs, I will seek out an appropriate referral to another service provider.  

CONFIDENTIALITY

A strict rule of confidentiality applies to all information shared with me.  The privacy and confidentiality of our conversations and my records are a privilege of the client and are protected by state law and my profession's ethical principles.  I will keep confidential anything the client shares with me with certain exceptions that will be discussed prior to beginning therapy.

Specializations

I can work with clients affected by several issues. Here are some of the most common issues that I treat:

• Addiction
• ADHD
• Eating Disorders
• Compulsivity
• Marital/ Partner issues
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Childhood Trama
• Sexual Abuse

LENGTH OF SESSIONS, FEES FOR SERVICE, DIAGNOSIS, AND REFERRAL

Our first session will involve an evaluations of your needs.  By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include and treatment goals to improve your functioning across multiple life settings and to also enhance your relationships and interactions with others.  Upon completion of those identified goals, treatment will terminate unless additional goals are identified.

I typically schedule one 50-minute, individual session per week although some sessions may be longer or less frequent.  When working with child and adolescent clients, I also encourage the family to participate in family therapy at least one time per month to explore family dynamics as related to identified treatment goals for the child/adolescent.  If deemed appropriate, you may also participate in group therapy with peers as related to treatment goals.