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Individual and Couples Counseling
Treatment specialization includes:
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Depression and Anxiety
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Couples Counseling
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Addiction & Recovery
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Gay & Lesbian Issues
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Stress Management
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Grief Counseling
Individual Counseling
Everybody, at one time or another, gets “lost or stuck” in their personal or professional lives.
o Lost in unhappy and negative feelings
o Stuck in unproductive, unsatisfying, even self-destructive patterns of thoughts and behavior
At times we might not like ourselves, feel lonely, unfulfilled, or unloved. Wanting life to be different but unable to change.
Even when life is going well, there may be times when people say things that are hurtful and arouse feelings of anger or sadness. What’s going on? Is there some other motivation, agenda, or feelings that draw us into these repeated patterns?
Imago Relationship Theory explains how thoughts and feelings originating from our past experiences strongly influence our lives today. Then Imago Therapy provides some practical and effective approaches to living your life in a more positive and connected way. You will see your life through a new lens.
Our most important relationship is the one we have with ourselves. Real healing begins when we look at all of the relationships in our lives. Relationships with ourselves, significant others, family & friends, money, work, food, sex, alcohol, etc.
When working with clients I view my mission as twofold
o First, I listen as you discuss your current difficulties, the impact they are having on your life, and what you want to change. We review parts of your life to determine what old patterns of thought and behaviors are serving as underpinnings for current barriers to change. And why certain people or situations trigger such intense feelings and strong reactions.
o Second, we review your current strengths. Then, working together, we build upon these strengths while using your new found insights, to help you develop the tools necessary for you to transform your life.
Exploring, understanding, and appreciating your self, and how you relate to friends and family can become the most joyous experience of your life, and a path to lasting fulfillment.
The most rewarding relationship is the one you develop with yourself.
Couples Counseling
Couples often feel "lost or stuck" in their relationships. They don’t know why the joy, passion, and connection first experienced in their relationship have dwindled down to ongoing negotiations of disagreements and feeling disconnected.
Even in good relationships, there are times when partners can feel alone, unsupported, and unloved. When the early excitement of falling in love fades, differences which once felt trivial become the source of disagreement and frustration.
What's going on?
Using Imago Relationship Therapy, the goal is for couples to discover the answers to 3 important questions.
1. Why are we drawn to each other?
2. What causes the conflict in our relationship?
3. How do we turn the conflict into connection?
With the answers to these questions in hand, couples learn to experience each other and their relationship in a new way which allows them to focus on re-connection and growth.
Imago Relationship theory explains why differences are actually a natural part of your original attraction to each other. Imago blends leading psychological theories and practical observations on the experience of love, providing an approach to relationships that is easy to understand.
The basic tool of Imago Relationship Therapy is the Imago Dialogue. The Dialogue is simple, respectful, and effective way to talk with your partner about things that really matter.
Imago is based on years of clinical practice and research compiled by Harville Hendrix, PhD. This research is the basis for his best-selling book "Getting the Love You Want". Hendrix also co-founded Imago Relationships International with his partner, Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD.
In Imago, there’s no blame, shame or criticism. Instead, a stronger connection comes through intently listening to each other and being heard in an emotionally safe environment. Then unexpected answers to conflicts appear. Exploring, understanding, and appreciating your differences can become the most joyous experience of your life. A path to love that vastly exceeds your expectations.
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