Philosophy:
My approach in individual counseling, as well as marriage and relationship counseling, includes aspects of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, family and organizational dynamics, and creative applications of the social learning theory in which I originally was trained. I'm not a silent therapist! I have an active, engaging, coaching style, using humor and metaphor, and references to the expanding knowledge base of psychology, to encourage clients to: (1) evaluate the interaction and thought patterns in their areas of concern, whether marriage, family, or work life; (2) better understand how others perceive and respond to them, and the interaction dynamics and cycles that occur; (3) break old habits by viewing things differently and try new behaviors; (4) evaluate the results of their 'real life experiments' to strive for more productive, gratifying patterns.
Couples typically seek help with difficulties communicating effectively, trusting or rebuilding trust after boundary problems, maintaining affection and intimacy in their hectic lives, controlling impulses and planning ahead, making decisions jointly as a couple, parenting, and other facets of satisfaction in marriage and family life. Whether individual psychotherapy or couples counseling, there often is discussion of balancing the demands of relationships, work, and parenting in everyday life. Overcoming anxiety or depression, or sometimes lifelong habits which held folks back for many years from making the most of their capabilities often are addressed as counseling proceeds.
In my daily clinical work with couples, I try to shed light on how our unique family backgrounds, interacting with our present life circumstances (as we perceive, react and shape them), impact our adult love relationships. From this point of view there are no villains to blame, only ourselves and our partners to better understand and appreciate. Couples seeking to improve communications and intimacy in their relationships appreciate such a non-judgmental approach to understanding and improving their relationships.