I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor and I work with people every day on issues such as anxiety, depression, relationships, addiction, social skills, self esteem, personal identity issues, improved focus and attention, etc.
I look at my clients as competent individuals who merely need to overcome the same obstacles all human beings are prone to at one time or another. Improving one's ability to handle the challenges inherent in life is the path to success in life. That means I typically take a non clinical approach to counseling. I diagnose very conservatively. I am initially less interested in symptom reduction and more concerned with my clients developing insight and a better perspective of themselves in relation to the world and their problems. Once that is achieved, my clients are in position to take action to learn, new skills and adapt to their ever changing circumstances.
That being said, I like to incorporate as much "evidence based practice" into my treatment suggestions and recommendation to my clients as possible, so that they can confidently employ what I prescribe and expect to be successful. I incorporate elements of CBT, Psychodynamic, Interpersonal and Narrative Therapy approaches into my counseling. But most of the time my counseling will appear to be a simple conversation about my client's life.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Depression
WA LMHC 60634650