For some, therapy can be a difficult step. I attempt to create a relaxed safe environment with empathy, compassion and humor to help you improve your mood, relationships and create a satisfying life.
Couples Counseling
Bring back the fun, connection and intimacy in your marriage. You don’t have to suffer and feel stuck in your relationship. In couples counseling, I can help you learn the tools and habits for you to create the marriage you want. Increase positive communication and get rid of angry arguing. Learn how to build a relationship of mutual love admiration and support. Find out how to talk about problems that effect your relationship without blame, name-calling, contempt, manipulation, and acting out in anger.
My goal is to help you build a great marriage or relationship. I keep up on counseling techniques that are tested and work!
Individual Counseling
In an environment of empathy, compassion and humor, you can improve the effects of complex trauma, abuse, let go of anger, self-doubt, and explore meaning and create more fulfillment in your life. One to one we can work to improve your mood, emotional regulation, anger management, resolve trauma, uncover thoughts and beliefs or triggers that cause debilitating emotions. Learn to overcome negative thoughts that interrupt that success and enjoyment of life. Without giving up who your are, you can change the way you feel and learn to make choices that improve your relationships.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Individual Dialectical Behavior Therapy (See the “What’s DBT ” page for more) is offered to those who are not ready for the group setting, are currently in a DBT group, or have graduated from a group. You learn DBT skills in a personalized individual counseling setting or brush up on your skills while getting support and practicing skills with current issues. Individual counseling will help you focus on what might get in the way of using your skills and creating a life of increased enjoyment. The protocol recommends attending groups and meeting with a DBT individual therapist. I offer both group skills training and individual counseling.
Anger Management and Emotional Regulation
As an Anger Management Specialist. I am happy to be able to provide counseling for those who are struggling with impulsive actions when influenced by anger. With traditional anger management tools, and new evidenced based techniques for regulating emotions, you can learn to control your anger and other emotions without giving up “feeling” or your sense of self. Imagine being able to feel anger and calmly negotiate your wants and needs without destructive comments of behavior. You can learn to maintain relationships, keeps jobs, and avoid shame and guilt for poor behavior.
In my program, you will learn about:
- Understand the function of the brain, mind, and emotions.
- Learn to identify and label emotions
- Learn a skill to observe emotions as they happen and focus your thoughts and actions on your goals and effective non-harmful action, with Mindfulness.
- Non-violent Negotiation
- Effective Communication
- Cooping Skills and Behavior Solutions
- Dysfunctional Thinking
- Learn to accept yourself and others Through Non-Judgment
Working with one to one in my anger management program allows for the treatment of deeper issues that usually underlie acting out when angry. Often negative behavior acted out during an angry outburst is influenced by stress, depression, anxiety, faulty belief systems, past trauma, or unspoken tension in the environment whether work or home. You can stop allowing anger to control your behavior and harm your marriage, family friends or colleagues.
Mindfulness
One of the most important aspects to my current practice has been bringing mindfulness into the treatment. Studies show that a Mindfulness practice can increase emotional regulation, improve social interaction and develop a sense of life satisfaction. Mindfulness is a skill that allows you to stay aware and present in this moment and avoid the pain of negative thoughts of your past and future.
Not a religion, or a cult, Mindfulness is simply an easy and practical way to get a perspective and gain control of yourself. The best news of all is that it is easy to learn, but the hard part is remembering to use the skill. Practice, practice, practice and watch how other respond to the new you. Can you imagine an argument with your partner, boss or friends where you don’t allow your emotions to run away with you?
Adolescent Counseling
I offer teens the skills and tools they need to control their anger, work through social stress, depression, anxiety, self-harm. I have worked with troubled teens with Complex Trauma (repeated abuse/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) for 23 years in various treatment modalities: school, residential and day treatment.
