I believe effective counseling begins with connection, compassion, and the cultivation of a supportive therapeutic relationship.
I then help people make sense of the emotional distress they are struggling with. Understanding emotions does not make them go away. However, most people do report some relief when these confusing forces of nature are made less mysterious.
From the foundation of connection and understanding, I then help my clients determine what aspects of their thoughts, behaviors, and/or lifestyle they are going to change to make these uncomfortable emotions more manageable.
Once a person’s emotional distress has resolved or decreased to a manageable intensity, sessions then focus on determining how clients will find value, meaning and purpose in their lives.
This philosophy of psychotherapy is best conceptualized in the (4) topics of:
Connect Understand Grow Thrive!