I hold both a clinical social work license and Colorado's highest level of addiction counselor certification (CAC III). I've worked in mental health for 41+ years. I began in community mental health right after earning my social work degree, and spent about 15 years there as a case manager, clinician, trainer, supervisor, and manager. I opened Wisdom Counseling in 1999. Many of my clients return over the years when something new arises. I take that as the highest compliment.
Everyone who walks into my office is treated with dignity and worth, regardless of their behavior, their history, or how past treatment has gone. I've watched people visibly change when they experience that. They sit a little taller, their shoulders soften, and they look more at ease and more like themselves. Real work becomes possible from that place.
After listening curiously and thoroughly, much of what I do is help people to understand the purpose or validity of things they're experiencing. For example, anger, sadness, fear, guilt, and joy each carry information. Then a short-term plan and approach on the way to developing a more complete plan, as long as we have to work together.
