I have been fortunate in my 20 year career to have had the opportunity to work with human beings across the life span, having worked with children in foster care, people in hospice care as well as those needing grief and bereavement support, and in private practice with children, families and adults. I have also worked in private and public schools and written curriculum for Peace Education and for the gifted. I am Montessori informed, trained in Integrative Sand Tray therapy, and certified in restorative practices and I have trained new therapists from graduate school to licensure. What has resulted from this work is a profound awareness that a diagnosis or an experience does not define a person. We contain multitudes and how we incorporate our lived experiences is vital to our development.
At the center of my approach is the belief in shared experience, shared expertise and collaboration. We are developing a clinical working relationship and each relationship is unique. While I hold expertise in human development, clinical theory and holding the clinical space for a client to do their work the client holds the expertise on the variables that impact their life, their unique experience of what brings them in and are the person who decides what is supportive to them. I utilize an eclectic approach that is rooted in the common human experiences inside and outside sessions. In session you can expect a client-centered approach that is strengths based. Some of the approaches I utilize are developmental theory, systems theory and narrative therapy paired with cognitive exercises, existential consideration and psychoeducation. In my work with children (and playful adults) this all takes place in the context of play and art, allowing for things beyond words to be shown and experimented with until learning and incorporation can take place.
I also believe that fun is a big part of helping things take root. You will find I am pretty informal and believe that laughter is a very powerful human experience. One of the things children have taught me is the capacity to enjoy aspects of the world despite our life's circumstances. Positive psychology also supports this belief. Developing things that bring us joy is critical to the human experience. For example, art is a huge part of my life. My wife is a professional artist and I have been fortunate enough to show my own art from time to time. I also enjoy saltwater and freshwater fishing and traveling whenever I can. I love hanging out with my three awesome kids, my friends, snuggling with our dogs and cats, playing and listening to music and rewatching my favorite movies over and over again. My hope is that just reading this helps you recognize the multitudes you contain.
Seeking support is a way to create momentum in our own lives. It's a way to increase our own understanding or obtain new information to effect change in our own lives. I hope you have found this information helpful in finding the support you are seeking...wherever it may take you.
In the meantime, take good care.