I am currently licensed in Iowa and Nebraska with over 26 years of professional work experience. The bulk of my career has been in community-based settings as I felt this type of setting was where I could give back to those that have helped me and my family of origin. I had a mother that was bi-polar and had a significant borderline personality disorder. Her first major hospitalization occurred following my birth. I have grown up in the Midwest but have lived in California and South Carolina as well as serving in the US military with one deployment to Afghanistan in which I served as the highest-ranking enlisted member of the Human Intelligence component of a Brigade Combat Team. I have a grown gay son and feel that my own healing process in coming to terms with my feelings toward my mentally ill mother were greatly facilitated by friendships in the queer community and feel a great depth of gratitude and respect for this community. I have been divorced, struggled with my own addiction, co-dependency and mental health issues throughout my lifetime and have carried various mental health diagnoses at different times in my life as well. I don't look at myself as complete expert on life but to quote Brene' Brown: "I might just be a little further down the road in recovery is all".
I view therapy as more of an art form in that there are skills and techniques that can be learned and applied to the work of art that is being created, but it is the process involved that brings out the beauty of the final product. I understand the importance of being heard and feel that a person’s truth can emerge through a collective experience in the interaction and engagement with another human being. I hope to bring my experience in life and working with others to your life experience. I view it as a privilege to be able to be a part of the understanding of another person’s life and hope to be part of this journey with you.
Additional areas of focus: Self esteem, Career difficulties, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Codependency, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Fatherhood Issues, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and Shame, Isolation / Loneliness, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Personality Disorders, Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sexuality
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
OR LCSW L14200
IA LISW 01073
NE LIMHP 3120
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Rodney Black. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Rodney is amazing! He has life experience and empathy.
Written on Jun 04, 2023 after therapy with Rodney for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and career difficulties
I haven’t been talking with him long, but he is incredibly nurturing and friendly! Creates a welcoming environment that allows me to feel comfortable opening up and accepting help.
Written on May 17, 2023 after therapy with Rodney for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, and career difficulties
Rodney is a wonderful counselor and a fantastic listener. He made me feel like my feelings were justified and validated my ideas but still held me accountable for my behavior
Written on May 03, 2023 after therapy with Rodney for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
I've only had one call with him so far, but we've had a lot of messages. He's been understanding, up front, and has given me a variety of options. I don't easily trust people, but I would heavily recommend him to others like me.
Written on Apr 27, 2023 after therapy with Rodney for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
He shared with me some of his experiences which made me feel like he understood me and the feelings I was having regarding certain situations. When a therapist is open to sharing parts of their story to relate to their clients, that's the kind of therapist I want.
Written on Apr 20, 2023 after therapy with Rodney for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatig
Well versed and listens.
Written on Mar 22, 2023 after therapy with Rodney for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
