What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
I am an older person in my 70's who has experienced and seen much in life. My father was a psychologist, as was my grandmother and I did get my BA in psychology several decades ago. This is actually my third vocation, after having been a writer/editor in the publishing business and a general manager in the satellite communications business. However, following a painful divorce 20 years ago, I decided to find a new vocation more in line with what I enjoyed most -- talking with people about the issues and pain that might be afflicting them. I love this profession because it has taught me so much about myself and the clients that I serve.
In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
I have been a practicing Buddhist for 50 years. Buddhism is not so much a religion as it is a philosophy and it is rooted in the sense that everything changes and each day presents new opportunities to proactively change our lives. It has been called the most psychological of religions and I find there is much about its approach to compassion, mindfulness and non-violence that overlaps with my therapeutic approach.
What does a first session with you look like?
That session will involve us getting to know each other and my attempting to truly be in the present while I listen to your issues and concerns, even as I ask about your life, specifically your family of origin and how you grew up, including adolescence. Adler said that these first years of life are critical because they are where we wrote the symphony of our life, even as we may have picked up a few bad notes.
Specialties
Communication issues
Source of communication challenges in circumstances and relationships that can have a negative impact on mental health. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations often lead to arguments in personal, platonic, or professional relationships.
Life transitions
Positive and negative change can be difficult, including things like moving, breaking up, adjusting to parenthood, or changing careers. It’s normal to feel stressed, however, life transitions can inhibit people from living healthy lifestyles.
Mood disorders
Mood disorder is a broad term used to include the different types of depressive and bipolar disorders, all of which affect mood. With a mood disorder, your moods may range from extremely low to extremely high or irritable.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
Couples
Provides couples therapy/counseling
General Expertise
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Fees
$80
First Session
$100
Couples Therapy
$75
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness Practices
Adlerian Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Eclectic Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Jungian Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
PESI Level 1 EMDR
Certified Trauma Practitioner
Licensure
CO, LMFT, 1509
Education
MA in Adlerian psychotherapy.
Work History
My work history has included working for three years with the homeless in Minneapolis and also doing 5 years of outpatient therapy in a variety of agencies, including hospitals. Much of this was in the service of attaining marriage and family hours to receive my license. Because of my work with the homeless, I have become quite dedicated to developing my expertise in creating trauma. As an Adlerian, I am also very experienced in working with depression, anxiety and I also do a lot of communication work with couples. Currently, since the pandemic began, I have mostly been doing telemedicine with a couple of agencies because I find it to be very effective and convenient for clients who have difficulty scheduling office visits. Though I am currently in Minnesota, my intent is to return to my home state of Colorado in the not too distant future.
Location
11182 Aberdeen St. NE, Unit A, Blaine, 55449, MN