I draw on my 40 year history of practicing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as my current specialty of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I would encourage Taylor to begin with completing a form that I’ve developed called Success and Change Evaluation/Use of Skills Report which is designed to evaluate current functioning and response in relationships as well as to determine courses of action to build a prideful, confident approach to life’s challenges.
I would additionally use several different forms that I’ve developed over my career to evaluate response to anger, low self-confidence and autobiographical overview of life functioning. I would educate and encourage Taylor as to the Stages of Change and help him identify where he fits in the stages throughout the treatment process. We would also undergo of Relapse Prevention Plan to help him identify emotionally high risk situations, internal cues and red flags and intervention strategies.
"I welcome you to this process and want to begin by saying how grateful that I am that you’ve taken this step. I absolutely get that this can be very scary, as it requires varying degrees of vulnerability. I’ll be coming from my theory and practice of being a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, with the National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists. I will also be employing principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that was developed by Marsha Linehan in the 1980's, with focus in helping clients in the area of emotion regulation as they proceed through life interactions and challenges. There might be a few other theoretical approaches that I employ that I would encourage you to ask about at any time that you’re not clear or feeling responded to appropriately.
I'd first like to tell you a little bit about myself as I’ll be asking you many personal questions, (would then give a brief synopsis of educational, professional and some personal life facts).
It sounds to me like you’ve identified that things are going on in your life that could be overwhelming and a little bit scary. I’m hoping that we can explore any fears that you have and work toward determining what they are based on. Could you share moments in your life that you are most proud of? Of course, it will also be important to examine challenges - and maybe some sore spots that you’ve experienced and are continuing to feel.
I’m wondering if you could tell me more of what you’re expecting and hoping to achieve through the counseling process, and maybe include some of your hopes and dreams of. I’m wondering how you have felt fulfilled in your life, to include professional achievements and to expand on how you could work toward engaging effectively and fully in life while feeling validated and proud of yourself.
Please do your best to consider that I am here to listen, respond and guide when appropriate. It’s important that you do your best to reflect carefully and authentically. Please remember to also do your best to articulate any concerns you might have as our counseling relationship develops."
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Antisocial Personality, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Cancer, Control issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Therapy
VT LCMHC 068.0000389