Why Psychology? Why a Psychotherapist? Here's My Answer...

Generally speaking, my orientation is most heavily influenced by the work of C.G. Jung and Jungian Analysis.  This means that I accept the idea that our lives are a continuous process of growth and discovery about who we are and who we can become.  This is what Jung called a process of "individuation" or a process of becoming he unique person we each can be while at the same time becoming a part of the social and natural world around us. Finding our unique path to this goal means finding our unique Self, and in doing so we find our own strengths and abilities to meet and solve the problems that appear to block our way.

Because we are each different and are paths are defined by who we are, the process of psychotherapy is different for each of us.  Every person starts psychotherapy at a different place and their needs and processes are also different.  A Jungian orientation takes this into consideration and allows me to work with clients to create individualized plans and processes. I am able to integrate any or all of the techniques I know ((e.g., CBT, dream work, meditation), but always centers on a person and solutions that fit them. This way, results are more likely to last and people leave therapy better able to deal with future problems and stay on their path.

I have had a lot of experience in psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and groups from adolescents to older adults.  I have worked with people who have experienced deep trauma; couples going through serious issues, adolescents who have felt alienated, angry and confused; and people struggling to find meaning in their lives, their work, and their relationships. All of them had a need relieve stress or manage stress.

Overtime, my psychotherapy practice has come to focus primarily in several areas.  One area in which I have developed a special approach is for men seeking to find more positive and creative ways to express themselves.  Men, who may have had difficulty with anger or frustration with work or personal relationships, can discover a positive self-image, greater understanding of their feelings, deeper and more meaningful relationships, and greater control over their communication. Psychotherapy can help address these men's issues and difficulties through individual sessions as well as men's groups, anger management techniques, anger management classes and relationship and couple's counseling. (Men's counseling and psychotherapy, men's issues)

Second, I have developed a focused approach for working with couples who are experiencing relational difficulties.  In our process, we learn to recognize key stressors and to acknowledge and manage the emotions that can often end up pushing partners away from one another.  A key component of relational repair is developing the ability to accurately communicate our feelings and to be able to perceive and acknowledge the feelings in the other.  Ultimately, we can regain mutual respect, trust, and intimacy. (Couple's counseling, marriage counseling, relationship issues, couple's psychotherapy)

Third, my Jungian orientation and personal experience with Jungian Analysis also opens my practice to anyone who is seeking greater meaning in their lives.  Some would call this a "spiritual" goal, and I would agree.  However, it is not a process that is a mystical experience outside of our every day lives but an integral part of it.  It is a process of realization of our true self that enriches and informs everything we do.  Happiness is not merely the result of solving one problem, but the result of sustaining and maintaining our ability to solve problems as they come.  From my perspective and in line with Jung's approach, I believe as we bring our conscious awareness to the deeper, unconscious processes of our psychologies we experience on-going and lasting growth and greater power to overcome any obstacle. (Spiritual counseling, spiritual growth, individuation, Jungian psychotherapy)