My Approach
Theoretical Orientation
I have education and training in most mainstream contemporary approaches to psychotherapy. Through my various internship experiences, I participated in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Training, Addictions Process Group Counseling, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment and Person Centered Therapy, and finally Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy. Underlying each of those is a strong foundation of family systems therapy. I see individuals in the context of their family (biological and chosen) and work with the entire system towards healing and wholeness.
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While there are useful aspects of most therapeutic interventions, the ones to which I adhere most closely are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment theory and Gottman Couple Therapy. I believe that we are shaped by our early close relationships in a variety of ways, so I facilitate raising an individual's self-awareness and resilience through exploring one's early history; therefore empowering the client to break the cycle of negative behaviors or processes. I also believe that our internal monologue (including our thoughts, automatic judgments, etc) play a significant role in our mental health and wellbeing. Through CBT and ACT's interventions of mindfulness and values-oriented living, I help individuals live the life they want that leads to increased self-compassion, self-efficacy and overall positive regard for self and others.
As an Associate Licensed Professional Counselor and an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Counselor, I am qualified and eager to serve anyone desiring personal wholeness, or help navigating relationships- regardless of one's background or beliefs. I am also extensively trained in the integrative arts of counseling with a Protestant Christian worldview. I am able to provide integrative therapy if a client desires to incorporate his/her faith in the therapeutic experience.