Hi, my name is Jodi Spires. For 25 years, I have worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with people learning to deal with depression, anxiety, trauma, and family issues.
My approach
My approach to counseling is more eclectic than any particular approach. For the most part, I think people already possess the answers they seek; talking with a counselor can provide clarity and expose potential blind spots.
My focus
Though I am comfortable working with clients of all ages, when working with children, I prefer them to be a little older, like 9/10 years+. I am comfortable working with clients from diverse racial, social, or religious/spiritual backgrounds, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community.
My communication style
I'm a simple, laid-back kind of person; what you see is what you get. Therapy can be a vulnerable time for someone, and I want people to feel free to be themselves without fear of judgment.
My journey to mental healthcare
As a child, I wanted to be an archaeologist. I loved looking for artifacts (and still do) and thinking about the story behind the pieces. It was like putting a puzzle together for me; individual pieces fit together to form a more comprehensive image. I view counseling in much the same way in that it's akin to mental/emotional archaeology. This piece or time in our life is just one piece of the puzzle, not the complete picture of our life. We have a choice in how we let this impact our life; as a counselor, I can help sort through the pieces.
My goals for you
Goals must be relevant to the client to be meaningful. My mission is to help clarify goals (if needed) and to help a person address any obstacle to reaching their goal(s).
My first session with you
During our first session, I gather relevant presenting and background information and discussed with the client their expectations from therapy and the goals of treatment. This is a great time for each of us to check the other out to see if we're a compatible match.