Professional Philosophy

                       &

               Experience

 

 

I believe that good counseling or therapy can only happen when the client has a strong desire for growth and change and a solid therapeutic connection is established between the client and the helping professional. In my experience, clients generally want to feel heard, felt, understood, accepted and respected for who they are and what they are going through. They want to know that the professional they select will 'get' them and will offer real hope, solutions and resolutions to the challenges they face.

 

I strive to achieve this by providing a safe environment, listening closely to the needs of my clients-what they want and don't want, and discussing the treatment options that may work best to achieve the desired growth or change to occur. 

 

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW) from Texas Christian University and a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Denver Seminary (MA). I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington state. My diverse experience expands over 5 states and 25 years and includes therapeutic work with children, adolescents, adults and elders from all walks of life in a variety of settings including in-patient, out-patient, residential treatment, hospitals, school-based, family and community social service centers, senior in-home care, non-profit adoption, camp & retreat centers, cross-cultural humanitarian projects, pharmaceutical industry, private practice counseling, consulting and case managing. 

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Therapeutic counseling services have a growth-oriented focus and draw heavily on my training in internal, interpersonal and family systems therapy, attachment and object-relations therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness and whole person care (the mental, emotional, physical, relational, financial & spiritual aspects of our well-being). Counseling sessions may also include, but are not limited to, solution-focused models (where applicable), strengths-based models, brief therapy constructs, narrative therapy, psychodynamic approaches, art and music therapy. 

 

I enjoy working positively and collaboratively with my clients to help them achieve their personal growth goals. My style is proactive and solution-resolution focused(where applicable) with a commitment to providing the highest level of care to my clients. My passion lies in helping others achieve a higher sense of Self and overall well-being.  My practice is inclusive and committed to diversity, honoring and respecting the orientations, backgrounds, traditions and world views of my clients.  

 

 

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