Professional counseling is part science and part skill. I use knowledge and knack to understand the exact pattern of your symptoms which leads to an exact diagnosis. Once an exact diagnosis is established, then I introduce you to evidenced based interventions which are accepted as the current professional standard of care for the diagnosis. the established interventions are intended to lessen unwanted symptoms and thereby, assist you in addressing the presenting problems stemming from the underlying symptoms.
Because personality is formed within the context of relationships, it is the quality of the therapeutic professional relationship we develop together which will determine the timing of when the evidenced based interventions are enacted. Once these interventions are enacted, new patterns of wellness are established and practiced. Re-emergence of symptoms are just that and we mitigate previous symptoms patterns to mitigate new presenting problems.
It is my personal and professional experience that the symptoms emerging from un or mis-diagnosed and un or mis-treated impairments become wrongly integrated in one’s personhood.
Such integration leads to loss of the authentic self within. We begin to know ourselves and others from the viewpoint of our impairment, rather than from the view point of our wellness.
We begin to live life in reaction to problems rather than in response to peace. While I welcome a range of impairments for treatment, I am most versed in ADHD with resulting anxiety and post traumatic resilience (referenced here as coping skills). If ADHD and anxiety are frenemies on the best of days, adverse or absent coping skills (poor resilience) lead the conflict within self and others on the worst. Interestingly, untreated ADHD and associated anxiety can often be the unidentified sources of complex interpersonal discord. I educate clients to about the relationship between ADHD, anxiety, perceived traumas and resilience. I assist Clients in identifying the symptoms they experience as medical components to a medical problem rather than incompetent or problematic parts of themselves. We derive a plan to thrive from adopting tailored coping skills based on your own strengths and abilities. If I can help you to understand what has been genetically predetermined you can understand how to use that knowledge as foresight in symptom management. I help Clients develop the language needed to communicate symptoms to their medical providers in order to get the best possible self directed care they can. Together we put your diagnosis to bed so that you can be authentically you and have rest from unwanted symptoms.
Sessions with me are dynamic. My commitment to you is to see you well from the place of your strengths while holding compassion for your experience of your perceived limitations. I will challenge your self limiting beliefs. Natural curiosity and care about other humans combined with creative energy drives my personality. In sessions, I act much like a mirror. I am reflective in my direct and inquisitive approach. I am working always in your best interest based on my understanding of science, psychology theories, evidenced based treatments and ethics towards the goals you desire. In session, we unpack the ill, set it on a shelf, twist it, turn it, take it apart and recomposition it into useful antidote.I don’t do three strikes your out and I DO keep a strict NO SHAME policy. Every session we engage in together is one step closer to the eradication of the stigma of mental illness. I may run late and I am forgetful. I will rely on your engagement and collaboration in directing your care. I encourage you to explore mediated passion and playfulness towards your hopes and dreams and reject the self limiting beliefs which prevent you from doing so. I won’t be linear, but I will encourage you to be logical, reasoned and purposeful in the changes you wish to make towards the goals you establish. I like metaphors and I rely on my understanding of various cultural perspectives to create conversation which may ignite new awareness. Our sessions are less about you than they are about the freedom you seek from the symptoms you suffer. As these topics are addressed, so are your very own answers. Sessions are always guided by theory rooted in science and skill. I work only within my scope of practice and I adhere to least restrictive notation by documenting your progress towards your goals and the treatment interventions I use.
Most of my Clients engage in long term professional care. A safe connection within therapeutic bounds provides a container for the helpful interventions we use to alter and relieve the symptoms they experience. You have irrevocable freedom of choice and because I maintain a no shame policy, I remind Clients of this regularly. The most unhealthy relationship a Client can have with a provider is one of obligation by authority or perceived authority. Because personality is shaped within the context of our relationships, the safety derived by clinical adherence to confidentiality and competence is foundational in my practice. There are some Clients whose inner conflicts or previous experiences prevent us from being able to form such connections, and even here we discuss this as a clinical indication rather than a personal dilemma. Because I commit to maintain unconditional positive regard for Clients, mutual fit is established early prior to interventions. Client hiatus is expected, healthy and part of secure inter-relational attachment. Circling back around as needed is welcomed and encouraged. After the accepted period of non professional contact, the previous Client and I discuss their wishes and my availability and role as either a acquaintance or Clinician. Together we continue to navigate the bounds of our connection.
