I generally believe that everyone has problems worthy of therapy, some just choose to work on them, while others do not. I also believe that people often know the "problem(s)" that needs addressed in their life. So, identification of the problem is only part of the therapeutic equation. The more difficult step, and the one that often separates a professional from a layperson, is helping a person build a bridge from where they are to where they wish to be. This part requires time, energy, and is often quite frustrating. Therapy will challenge you in ways that you did not expect and ask you to look at things that you would prefer remain buried. Of course, the goal is to do this in a digestible manner. However, make no mistake...good therapy is difficult.
As a Doctor in Clinical Psychology, I have been well-trained on a number of different clinical issues. However, like all therapists, there are areas where I am likely stronger than others. Some of those areas include parenting, boundaries, communication, obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, relational distress, unhealthy life patterns, and problems in systems (families, couples, workgroups). As far as age groups, I see some children/parents as well as teens and adults.
I tend to be experiential in my therapeutic approach. That is, while I utilize different strategies, manuals, books, homework, etc at times, I find that most issues that need addressed are strongly rooted in relationships, habits, and core beliefs. For example, if Bob comes to my office and says that he is angry, I can give him a list of 10 things that he can do to more appropriately discharge his anger including exercise, journal, and practice relaxation. But was that the REAL problem? Had Bob never heard of these strategies? Had he never read a book on anger management? Had a reasonable family member never provided such advice? I believe that is seldom the case. So, the problem is NOT that Bob does not know he is angry, nor is it that he does not know textbook ways to address it. The problem lies in Bob's struggle (or resistance) to employ those strategies when needed. I believe this is where most people find themselves with the struggles in their life. Therefore, therapy with me will seek to understand, illuminate, and ultimately remove those hidden roadblocks. The process by which this is accomplished can be much more complicated and is different for each person. A few important notes...Research has shown that some disorders are best treated with very specific strategies or techniques (e.g. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is often treated with Exposure-Response Prevention strategies). Therefore, these more focused strategies will be utilized when warranted by the situation and diagnosis. If I do not feel that I can provide a specific treatment, I will work with you to find someone who can.
I decided I wanted to be a psychologist after working at a youth home in undergrad. I saw, firsthand, the intense need for kids and families to have a voice of wisdom and clarity in their lives. Someone that would tell them the truth, even if they didn't like it or fully understand it. Someone that would walk with them on the (sometimes) bumpy journey called life as they work to become a more genuine, healthy, and whole person.
I am a husband, father, and Christ follower. I love spending time with my family, being outdoors and creating/building things.
This is an impossible question...There are literally so many...To give one would lessen the value of the others...I...can't...do...it! But if I HAD to choose one, I would say: Gladiator, Braveheart, all the Bourne movies, Dumb and Dumber, The Matrix Trilogy, Inception, All the Marvel movies, Man on Fire, The Dark Knight Series, Lord of the Rings Series, Good Will Hunting, Saving Private Ryan, The Princess Bride, Shawshank Redemption, Avatar, all the Mission Impossibles, and...
Either an entrepreneur or archaeologist or both. So, maybe an archaeological entrepreneur? Don't ask me what this person would do because I have no idea.
