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Sometimes our lives take an unexpected turn—a loved one dies, we lose our job, our marriage ends, our parents’ health declines—and suddenly we aren’t sure where we’re going, or what to do next.
I can help. I have spent my career providing counseling services to people experiencing many kinds of difficult life events, and wrestling with many kinds of difficult thoughts and feelings. When a loved one dies, you expect to be sad. But you may also experience things that are harder to understand—guilt, anger, family conflict, uncontrollable worry—and sometimes it can feel like you are facing it all alone. Other hard times can bring about the same kind of confusing feelings, and make you feel trapped or stuck. I provide a safe, accepting setting where you can share the things that are difficult to discuss anywhere else. I will listen to your unique story. And I will work with you to get your life moving again, and back on course. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I am providing services both in person (with appropriate precautions) and by teletherapy (video counseling). |
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My Specializations I am experienced in providing counseling for many issues, including: Grief/Bereavement Difficult life changes (Divorce, health issues, aging, etc.) Depression Anxiety Trauma Loss of a pet or companion animal Interpersonal Relationships Substance Use Issues Communication Skills |
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Photo: Tom Umberger
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Treatment Methods
Everyone that comes for counseling has their own needs and preferences. I use several well-established counseling approaches, so we can set a course of treatment tailored just for you. Grief Counseling Whether you have lost someone you love, or lost something else truly important to you, the pain of loss is deep. In my many years of providing grief counseling, I have learned that everyone’s grief is different, and that everyone has their own path to healing. I will help you navigate that path, and come to a day that you can put your heartache behind you. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) None of us lives a life without pain, frustration, or disappointments, but what happens next is up to us. ACT is a mindfulness-based approach that I use to help you pull free from your most painful thoughts and feelings. This gives you the space to identify what matters most to you, to take positive action, and to have a meaningful life. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy If you have suffered a traumatic experience—a violent assault, a terrifying accident—it can feel like that experience never fades away. EMDR is a highly effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and one that often provides relief more quickly than other treatment methods. I use EMDR to help you move on from traumatic or disturbing experiences, whether they just happened, or occurred many years ago. Existential Psychotherapy Sometimes we go to counseling because we find ourselves challenged by the big questions: Who am I? Who is in charge of my life? What do I fear? What gives my life meaning? I incorporate existential psychotherapy to help you explore questions like these, reflect on the life you have, and envision where you would like to go next. Motivational Interviewing Whether you’re talking about drinking, smoking, risky sexual behavior, or anything else that causes you concern, it’s normal to have mixed feelings about making changes. Motivational Interviewing is an approach I use to help you explore problem behaviors, to see how they fit in your life, and to help you determine if a change is in order. |
Top Photo: Shenandoah Sunset II, jpmueller99, flickr.com
Bottom Photo: Forest Wander, Dead Tree Autumn Lake Reflection, www.forestwander.com
Bottom Photo: Forest Wander, Dead Tree Autumn Lake Reflection, www.forestwander.com