In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?
I have 30 years of sobriety and have had deal with a lot of my own mental health and substance abuse issues over the last thirty years. my issues were substance abuse and adoption/foster care related issues. I believe that we learn from every life experience (both good and bad) and that it is my role as your counselor to help you identify and resolve those issues that are keeping you "stuck". My own experience has shown me that Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include: • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values • Developing skills for improving your relationships • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures • Improving communications and listening skills • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on you and your needs. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for greater personal development. It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in the session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, I will suggest some things that you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on the personal goals that you establish. People seeking therapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives.
In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
My practical view of the function of counseling is as a journey of self-exploration by you, meant to increase your level of self-understanding and self-awareness. I as your counselor act as the guide or facilitator of this journey. I do not act as the self-appointed expert on your life who effortlessly dispenses advice to you about what you should be thinking, feeling, and doing. As your counselor, I do not readily provide answers/solutions to your questions/problems regarding you or your life. From my experience, clients are much more inclined to own and implement an answer/solution if it is of their own creation. On some level of consciousness based on your own experiences in life you already know the answers to your problems. I also believe that you have the answers to your own questions. It is my job to help you develop your own solutions to your problems.
Specialties
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.
Life coaching
Process designed to equip people with tools, motivation, and inspiration necessary to make positive change and maximize personal and professional potential. Life coaches are generally helpful during life transitions or for goal setting and completion.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is the intentional misuse of a substances (e.g., alcohol, prescription drugs, OTC medications, recreational and street drugs, household chemicals). This may include binge drinking or taking twice the prescribed dose of painkillers. For substances considered illegal and/or extremely detrimental to well-being, using even once may be considered substance abuse. Because of the addiction potential for many substances, abuse oftentimes leads to addiction.
Veterans' issues
Veterans’ issues involve any issues associated with veterans and/or their family members (military families). Veterans oftentimes present with issues that are unique to the human experience. PTSD, suicide, and substance use prevalence are high with this population as a result of immense stress and trauma. Other issues may include adjustment to civilian life, re-integrating with family, medical care, mental health treatment, employment, and finances.
Coping Skills
Coping skills are tools and techniques one can learn, practice, and use to handle difficult emotions, decrease stress, and establish or maintain a sense of internal order.
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.
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.
Addiction
Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.
Adoption & foster care
Adoption and foster care considerations include education on the process, integrating the new family, establishing household rules and boundaries, processing past trauma on behalf of the child, emotional health, and other adjustment procedures.
Fees
$100
First Session
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Strength Based Therapy
Coaching
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Training / Certifications
Certified Anger Resolution Therapist - Newton Hightower Center for Anger Resolution # 2524-2931
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
Board Certified Master Addictions Counselor - NBCC # 210390
Licensure
TX, LPC, 63996
Education
Masters Degree - Human Relations (Professional Counseling) - The University of Oklahoma
Work History
Military Veteran with 20 years experience as a therapist and 30 years sobriety. My experience includes: 2 years working with adults as a therapist with a community based agency in Omaha, NE 5 years working with Adolescents in an in-patient residential treatment unit in Omaha, NE 13 years working with Adults who were being released from prison or who were involved with Drug/Mental Health Court. My specialties include: Drug and Alcohol counseling Adoption Counseling Depression and Anxiety counseling Life coaching Military Life issues
Location
16407 Governor Bridge Road, Suite # 103, Bowie, 20716, MD