I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 20 years experience in residential, community mental health, and private practice settings. I utilize a strengths-based, solution-oriented approach to counseling with a dash of mindfulness , a touch of narrative therapy, and good dose of humor. I believe that people are unique, beloved, and full of gifts, talents, interests, untapped resources, and often forgotten successes that can provide paths and even a road map to getting unstuck and through whatever is prompting them to seek out help. I strive to connect with the hurt, pain, losses, disappointments, and woundedness people bring to sessions while at the same time maintain a stubborn optimism about the potential for healing, growth, and positive change. Lastly, I consider the relationship of therapy/counseling to be sacred space both in a professional and spiritual sort of way. I never cease to be amazed by the tenacity, creativity, and strength demonstrated by the clients I work with, and I likewise never cease to be surprised, touched, and awed by how the Divine or something beyond us tends to show up. This does not mean that I impose my spiritual beliefs and/or wonderings on clients. Rather, I believe it is important for someone to know up front that spirituality and the resources that come with it are just part of who I am.
If you are still interested or at least curious after reading my blurb, then I look forward to hearing from you!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, Blended family issues, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Communication problems, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
IL LCPC 180006540