My Approach to Helping
The clients who seek my assistance desire positive change. These are individuals, couples and adolescents who are facing challenges such as communication in their relationships, adding a new child to their family or launching into adulthood. I counsel from a systems perspective, which means that I recognize that everyone is part of a larger structure that includes family, community, work, and culture. I believe that it is essential to consider the presence of these elements in the solutions I pursue with my clients. Successful therapy includes identifying the What, understanding the Why and developing the How to move forward. Everyone has within them the power to achieve positive change, but the task can sometimes be overwhelming. I am here to help. My common sense approach to problem solving focuses on resolution, rather than fault, and aligns the client?s strengths with the pursuit of their goals. Most of all, my role is to provide a safe space and guiding hand to help clients increase their positive experiences and decrease their negative ones.
My Role as a Therapist
My role as a therapist is to connect with the perspective and reality of my clients. I adapt my work to what the client needs, when they need it, in a professional and objective manner. Some people may desire a guide to explore the origin of thoughts, feelings or actions. Others may need someone to challenge and support them as they seek to make changes and take risks. Couples and families may want assistance facilitating difficult conversations, building their skills to communicate and problem solve on their own, or learning about how to move successfully through life??s many transitions. Men in particular may seek a fellow father and husband to normalize some of the challenges inherent in these roles. Other clients desire a collaborator for goal setting and a check in point for the execution and attainment of these goals. Many people have within them the answers to their challenges and simply need me to help bring them to the surface. Most of all, my role is to provide a safe space and guiding hand to help clients increase their positive experiences and decrease their negative ones.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
One of the leading predictors of successful therapy is the relationship between the therapist and client. Therefore, when choosing a therapist it is essential to find someone with whom you are able to form a trusting and collaborative connection. Read about, speak with and ideally meet with your prospective therapist or a few different therapists prior to making a choice. It is common for therapists to offer a complimentary initial meeting so you can assess your comfort level with them, which can be a vital step in your search. During these meetings it is important that you have an idea about what success looks like to you. That way you can share your vision of success with your perspective therapist and gauge your confidence with their ability to help you achieve it. Questions to ask yourself include: ??Why am I seeking therapy now?? ??What have I tried so far in my life that has or has not worked?? ??What do I want more of or less of in my life?? ??If therapy is successful I will/won??t??? Feeling secure with your chosen therapist is the key to a successful collaboration towards your goals.
