Dr. Bonita Cade

I trained and received my doctorate in Counseling Psychology ( Iowa State University) where the focus was dealing helping clients to deal with the challenges of everyday life. Things like relationships, loss, grief, parenting, and functioning in places where people just don't "get" you. Before I began full teaching at a university Before I returned to academia (after almost 25 years of private practice in psychology and law) I worked as a psychologist with people who were meeting the challenges of the legal system like divorce, parenting after divorce, surviving their parent’s divorce, and many, many other issues that were not related the justice system.

The first step I take as a therapist is to listen intently and to make sure that I understand what is important and troubling to my client. Then we work together to strategize on how find a way to live in a way that is more satisfying. Then we work together to figure out what new skills or approaches the clients want to try. It may be through CBT, DBT, evidenced based trauma informed care, or even mindfulness practices. There may journaling , there may be homework.

We will find what works for you, the client. The ongoing question is are you , the client seeing progress?

Pride in how far they have come.

Confidence that the new or increased skills will work for finding a more satisfying life.

Increased ability to recognize and stop "self messages" that get in the way of happiness and growth.

Increased trust in the ability to recognize toxic, pain inducing and unhealth influences and people in their lives.

Increased skills and willingness to take the initiative in limiting, if not removing, negative elements in their lives.

Increased resiliency and pride in knowing that they can handle, thrive and survive any and all challenges in their lives.