SERVICES

I work with individuals, couples and families. My specialty is working with unhappy adults and struggling couples. And I work comfortably and well with those dealing with addictive issues.

Work with Individuals:
I believe there are identifiable reasons for psychological and emotional symptoms of depression, anxiety, irritability, hopelessness, helplessness, marital discord, financial issues--unhappiness. I work with the things in your life that don't work - and strongly believe that you can grow, heal and change these things.

The goal of psychotherapy and life is to become happier--more content and secure--intra personally more effective and more graceful. In essence, psychotherapy helps us to grow along personal, relational, intellectual and spiritual lines.

I work with individuals using a multi-modal approach including TA, Gestalt, psychomotor, experiential and cognitive behavioral methods. I also work with adolescents and families.

Both my wife Kay and I have been doing this for a while and have come up with a very effective integration of approaches that make us some of the better therapists in the city. Not all therapists are created equal. Keys to being masterful therapists are time, theoretical framework and the person of the therapist. We are good on those things.

Work with Couples:
I love working with couples. I believe if both partners meet the minimum but important non-negotiables then most any difficulty can be overcome and the couple can get better. Much better. I have seen this over and over again.

Actually, one of the non-negotiables is that both parties are willing to come to therapy and look at their issues. The reason couples struggle is both because of a lack of skills also because of a plethora of personal issues that get in the way. When each member are willing to look at , take responsibility for and work on their personal issues then couples get better. Really!

It is because of personal issues, mainly of the family of origin variety, that being in relationship is difficult. Most are not programmed or trained, as it were, to know how to do relationships well. In fact most are trained in crashing and burning or avoiding especially when things get dicey. That's why leaving is too easy for most. It is also one of the reasons I like to keep the therapy in house because I can direct these difficulties and blamitis back to the individual's issues.

I use a blend of effective therapies that offer a clear framework of what the problems are and how to correct them. It is most always is pretty simple to figure out--pretty strait forward. It then just takes time, willingness and some humility and courage. But it does work if you work it. Over my many years I have had great results and seen wonderful improvements.

This is easier said than done, but achievable. Couples therapy teaches the skills necessary to heal old resentments and learn to be more responsive, respectful and responsible - to yourself and your life mate and other family members.

Think about how much time and energy you put into something that's important to you. Whether this be your career or a hobby, you are usually dedicated and willing to overcome difficulties in order to succeed. If you put one quarter of the effort into learning about yourself and becoming a better partner that you do in your other important pursuits, you will realize great benefits. And what's more important!?

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Work with Addictions:

I am grateful to have been in recovery for a fair while. Being part of the fellowship has brought him many gifts. One of the best presents the program has given to him is a reawakened spiritual connection which has grown exponentially over the years.

From a psychological/emotional perspective, wanting to use, either through alcohol, drugs, food, sex, work, etc., is either wanting to medicate a feeling or trying to meet a need (usually for nurturance).

Roadmap therapy and Self Parenting, both in the mapping aspect of who's in the drivers seat of your personality and in terms of the operating principles works great with those in the program--especially those with a little time under their belt. This is because the goal of recovery (and therapy) is to have a good grownup be the primary driver in our lives so that we don't act on unhealthy impulses. Also, being truly sober, by definition, means having the graceful grownup in place so that we can minimally have the wisdom to know the difference. You can usually tell folks with double digits because this graceful grownup is stronger and more evident. Roadmap therapy is accelerated finishing school for this part. This is so important because most of us didn't get lots of modeling or coaching in how to be truly grownup in all our affairs.

Two of the major focus' of Roadmap therapy is processing/metabolizing unexpressed emotions and learning about and meeting old unmet and current needs. Hence, it is really good in working with the psychological and emotional issues underlying an addiction.

The bottom line is Roadmap therapy is a really good fit for folks in recovery and they are a good and enjoyable part of my practice.

See the Inner Symphony for an idea of how this might be relevant.
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