TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY:
I consider the counseling relationship to be a partnership in which one seeks an understanding of the problems that are affecting one’s life, and learns of strategies that will help alleviate them. Sometimes problems are manifested in depression, anxiety, or other stress-related problems such as sleeplessness, tension and the inability to enjoy life, family and activities. Occasionally problems result in behaviors that CAN become addictive, such as alcohol and drugs, gambling, sexual acting out, spending or over-eating or working. Since this partnership is based upon trust and mutual respect, it is important for the client to meet a professional who can best address those problems, and has the experience to know how and when to implement changes.
I use a variety of counseling techniques and modalities developed from my long career as a clinical social worker. I have worked in the mental health and addictions fields since 1973, and believe that I have the ability to address most of these issues. I apply the techniques that best “fit’ each individual issue (every individual is unique) and ONLY with the active participation of the client.
The counseling relationship is only the beginning – the real work begins when the client leaves the office and applies the knowledge, understanding and the “tools” learned in the therapy office. I employ some “homework” at times, such as reading, meetings or classes, CDs, writing, etc. which can help an individual when they are at home or in the workplace.
EMDR
EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING
EMDR is a remarkable technique that has been shown to be fast and effective (works in about 75% of the cases) to help heal the symptoms of trauma (such as PTSD), phobias and other emotional conditions. It uses bilateral stimulation (back and forth eye movements) to activate both sides of the brain to release trapped emotional experiences in the neurological system. This frees the blockage and allows the individual to reconnect with themself. It allows an individual to process painful memories and to move past them rapidly, eliminating the stress that often surround them.
CBT
COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of THINKING in how we feel and what we do. The term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is actually a general term for a number of different therapies that focus on thoughts (cognitions) as a means of changing our lives. These therapies can include Rational Emotive Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Rational Behavior Therapy, and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, ALL of which have been a part of my training and experience.
CBT is based on the idea that it is our thoughts that cause our feelings and result in our behaviors, not external things like events, people and situations. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of THINKING in how we feel and what we do.
EFT
EMOTION FREEDOM TECHNIQUE
EFT is a psychological acupressure technique that I use to optimize emotional health. It helps to remove negative emotions, reduce some pain, and implement positive thinking. It is based on the same energy meridians that are used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments, but without the invasiveness of needles. Instead, a simple tapping with the fingertips can be used to impute energy onto specific meridians while you are thinking about the negative problem. That problem can be a traumatic experience, anxiety, depression, or any mood-related difficulty