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I've been licensed for almost 20 years. This has been a second career. I've been a single parent, a divorced person, suffered grief, learned to argue without losing it, overcome anxiety and depression, faced retirement, found happiness in a 30-year marriage, and taken 20 years' worth of continuing education courses which have sharpened my skills.
My approach
I promote agency. That is the difference between my rescuing you and your promoting your own self-care. I think the brain is wired for joy, so I try to promote the various dimensions of joy. I do this in the context of my own attempts at successful aging, which focus on learning, physical movement, the power of relationship and a continuing quest for meaning in life.
My focus
I'm going to meet you where you are. So many of the things we encounter in life we don't do more than once. In a sense, we're all amateurs. We can put together what you know and what I know, test our beliefs, and move toward a resolution.
My communication style
I'm heavily influenced by a relatively new book called Supercommunicators, written by a brilliant guy named Charles Duhigg. It's taught me so much, and I thought I was a good communicator previously. I would characterize my style as direct, insightful, and collaborative. Most people find my approach helpful. I consider each session an opportunity to develop a productive dialogue.
My journey to mental healthcare
I came to the mental health field in a fairly roundabout way, having spent thirty-five years in law enforcement, both uniform and investigation, including a stint as the commander of a major agency Homicide Bureau. At age 60, I took a Masters in Clinical Psychology, gained licensure in 2005 and here we are.
My goals for you
You should know I don't take on very many clients. I want you to feel as if I spend substantial time thinking about your circumstances, researching areas that may provide greater effectiveness for you, and considering what you're going through. I want you to feel "joined with".
My first session with you
Candidly, the best we can do it size each other up, and answer some unspoken questions. I hope that my presence will join with your presence enough to allow you to take a deep breath and say that this can be genuinely helpful.
