My Approach
"What happens to you, happens for you. Trust your journey."
"If your goal is to be as close to your partner as possible, everything that you do and say needs to be with that goal in mind."--Karen Collins
"Speak to your partner like you would speak to a best friend that you want to keep."--Karen Collins
Therapy should not be long term in most situations. Though my approach is very relaxed, I am purposefully focused on the desired outcome and heading there from the first point of contact. I want you to be enjoying your life more as soon as possible. Most of us have experienced life events that requires healing from rather that be traumas, difficult circumstances, health issues, relationships or other hardships. Creating a healing environment for your mind and body sets you up to be as healthy mentally and physically as possible.
For Individuals:
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy interventions, hypnotherapy and other alternative healing methods to assist clients in developing the best mental and physical health outcomes possible. I go beyond basic CBT offering an integrated approach that is tailored to your unique needs. Treatment is comprehensive offering lasting results as you will learn techniques that you will be able to apply to future issues and situations. I focus on specific identified issues utilizing your strengths across multiple modalities including behavior, emotions, thoughts, sensations, images, interpersonal relationships and biological processes. In this approach, you do not have to dig into your past and analyze everything that you have ever been through. You will learn how to use your thoughts to bring more peace into your life and heal to improve your overall well-being and life satisfaction. My approach quickly assists you in effectively moving forward away from emotional baggage that may be holding you back so that you will be able to enjoy your life more now.
I treat adults with depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, anger issues, stress, grief and loss, chronic and terminal health conditions, trauma, attention issues (ADHD), other mental health issues and interpersonal relationship issues. You will experience symptom reduction and management in just a few sessions utilizing proven techniques and concepts.
For Couples:
I utilize Gottman Method Couples Therapy (I have completed Levels I, II & III in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy Practicum), Collaborative Couples Therapy, Developmental Model of Couples Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches. Fulfilling and healthy relationships should be the norm not the exception. Essentially, how partners relate to each other about issues creates closeness or distance in the partnership. It is how partners respond about whatever is going on that creates the inner relationship atmosphere and quality of life within the relationship. After an argument, where hurtful things may be said, recognize and learn to use those pieces of information to recover from the argument and to become closer.
I have spent a significant amount of my career working with couples to develop and strengthen their relationship. I work with couples pre-marriage, during marriage, during separation and divorce and post divorce including polyamorous and non-monogamous couples. I assist couples to identify their wants and needs within a relationship along with a plan to achieve those desires and the skills to handle current and future issues in a way that will bring you closer together no matter what the issue is. I believe that fulfilling and healthy relationships should be the norm not the exception. Amazing relationships can happen with the right guidance and direction. You can learn how to have and maintain great relationships along with a great sexual closeness to your partner. I understand that relationships and couplehood is experienced in many ways including polyamory, all relationships can be healthy and fulfilling.
If you are interested in completing, I offer and utilize an assessment tool that can assist in guiding therapy sessions by determining areas of strength and areas that both partners identify as areas that they would like to focus on. Once the assessment is completed by each partner in the comfort of your own space, I review and write a detailed summary indicating what was identified and options for change that can occur in between sessions to add additional opportunity for timely progress in the relationship.
I help couples and families who have chosen to divorce minimize the negative impact on the family during the adjustment and transition to the impending lifestyle change. Support, mediation and counseling are offered to the couple and family throughout the divorce and beyond as needed. It is important to prevent and reduce the emotional expense that a divorce can have on children and parents. Divorce is life altering to all involved, but it can be handled in a healthy manner that produces the least amount of trauma possible.
My Psychotherapist Training
Received BSSW and MSW from The Ohio State University
Completed 3 Internships in Medical and Psychiatric Settings
Completed 2 years of Supervised Practice after graduation with MSW
Independently Licensed in 3 states (FL, OH, TN)
My length of time practicing as a psychotherapist is 18 years
My Gottman Method Couples Therapy Training-Completion of all three levels of training available totaling 51 hours of training in addition to being independently licensed to practice as a psychotherapist:
Level I-11 hours
Level II-An additional 20 hours
level III-Another 20 hours of training all by John and Julie Gottman, PhD
In addition-I am Certified as a 7 Principles For Making Marriage Work Leader (Additional 8 hours of training)
MindValley Certified Hypnotherapist and Certified Life Coach
Trained with world renowned Paul McKenna for 5 Months
Certified Energy Healer