I began practicing psychotherapy at age 22 having been invited by a professor to join his clinical practice. Received clinical license in 1990. Have more than 30 publications related to mental health services including many related to micro and macro disaster mental health services in which I was recognized as an international expert. Received Fulbright Grant to provide mental health training, consultation, and services in Ukraine in 2018,
Many clients under utilize their strengths. I help clients leverage their strengths to help achieve their goals using tools (problem identification, stress management, reflection, and an integrative model I developed to create neuro-reprogramming. The model was endorsed by a peer-reviewed clinical journal. I also firmly believe that a therapist's capacity for warmth, empathy, and genuineness primarily shape therapeutic outcomes.
Typically, the first session begins with my suggesting a choice. You can begin to describe your goals for being in therapy; or, if more comfortable, I can describe my background. If a problem(s) is described, I look to understand how the problem is related to intensity, duration, or frequency. This is used to guide and clarify achieving the goal(s) identified. For example, if anger is the problem, is it a problem because it is too intense (violent, threatening, etc.); it lasts too long (for days); or it happens too often (several times a day or week)?
