If you could pick one movie or book that influenced your approach to therapy, what would it be and why?
The book that I feel has been most gratifying in my life is The Five Agreements. The Five concepts of this book magnify important ideas. These ideas require practice, they are powerful, they can change you in positive ways and provide you with greater energy. I can show you how.
What is your style/approach to therapy?
My active listening skills enable me to help my clients gain insight for themselves. I listen to my clients and help them understand their motivation: thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I challenge them with interpretations helping expand their understanding, then I work with their awareness to enable the idea of change.
In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?
I have overcome many challenges in my family and professional life. I understand challenging relationships. Through my therapeutic work I discovered taking responsibility has brought me greater satisfaction and a happier life.
Specialties
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.
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.
Medical professionals' mental health
Many medical professionals have extremely difficult jobs. When the result of one’s work is a matter of life or death, stress is typical. Medical professionals’ mental health is oftentimes impacted by experiencing vicarious trauma, working long hours, feeling underpaid or unappreciated, and believing that the well-being of others is more important than their own. This may lead toward distress, compromised performance, resentment, poor mental and/or physical health, and burnout.
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.
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
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.
In-Network Insurance
Aetna
All Savers Insurance
Cigna
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
Nippon Life Insurance Company of America
Oscar Health
Oxford Health Plans
United Healthcare
United Medical Resources
Fees
$150
First Session
$150
Couples Therapy
$150
Individual Therapy
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Person-Centered Therapy
Positive Psychology
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Training / Certifications
Sarasota County Technical Institute (1994) • LPN Graduate • PCA/HHA Patient Care Assistant/Home Health Aid/Psychiatric Technician • State University of New York, Oneonta, NY 1979 • Bachelor of Science/Food & Nutrition
Licensure
FL, LMHC, MH11715
Education
University of South Florida, M. A. (2010) • Licensed Mental Health Counselor • Rehabilitation Health Counseling •
Work History
Joel shares his knowledge and experience in dealing with anxiety issues, depressed moods, motivation, positive self-talk, rehabilitative health and wellness models. Joel has successfully run restaurants counseling employees, he has worked in Sarasota Memorial Hospital as a director of food service and as a Hospital Nurse. He worked with First Step of Sarasota and CenterPlace Health as a therapist for 5 years in addition to maintaining his Private Practice helping individuals and couples to understand their part in relationships. Living and being challenged by multiple situations in Sarasota for 43 years we have accepted change as part of our lives. By accepting change, retooling and consciously shifting our attitudes we survived and prospered in most areas of our lives. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Depression, Anxiety, Family Therapy/Relationship Issues, Positive Psychology, Energy preservation Techniques, and Wellness Models in my practice
Location
520 Payne Parkway, Sarasota, 34237, FL