Patricia Regina Martin LPC

My path was a windy one, as most people's are. It was the work I was doing personally that led me to want to help others. As I learned and grew, I wanted to share the amazing experience with others. I was working for a large corporation at the time and wanted to do more. So I went back to school and it was the first time I started school and felt right at home immediately. I was in my 40's when I was finally able to fulfill this goal and I have never questioned my decision. It is an amazing feeling to help others find their path.

The client drives the process and goals tend to be fluid. Clients usually start with basic goals in mind: I want to feel better or I want to reduce my stress. As therapy progresses, so do the goals, usually getting more and more specific. As the client learns and grows, they will define the goals for themselves. I am there to guide and support them.

As therapy is based on trust and mutual respect, my philosophies have to be the same. If I was asking a client to do something that I don't believe in, they will know and this will break the trust. I practice mindfulness, breathing and honesty in my personal life and these are what I use to help my clients find their way too.

• Pennsylvania, Licensed Professional Counselor, 011871

Everyone can use an objective voice to help them work out whatever is going on in their lives. Sometimes relief can begin just by deciding that a little help won’t hurt. “Beneath every behavior there is a feeling. And beneath each feeling is a need. And when we meet that need rather than focus on the behavior, we begin to deal with the cause, not the symptom” (Ashleigh Warner). This is my philosophy for counseling. In my practice I concentrate on what is driving behaviors and teach coping skills to empower the person to help themselves.