My primary approach blends two areas of training but all of this falls under what is more generally known as Cognitive Behavioral. I start with Chip Dodd’s Spiritual Root System and combine Temperament Therapy. What we typically think of as couples counseling is better thought of as individual counseling side by side. This naturally means we’ll be addressing the individual issues which affect all of our relationships. You can expect a combination of joint and solo sessions as part of our process.

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The Spiritual Root System starts with this widely held belief in counseling that thoughts and feelings are connected. I spend a lot of time helping people understand their true motives and the hidden drive which is often to avoid feelings we don’t understand. I add the nuance of Emotional Focused Therapy to this system and intentionally work to create and honor the moments where the emotions transcend the rational.

 

Temperament Therapy begins from this place that we are all uniquely created and we can review a testing instrument together which helps you understand how you are made in hopes of eliminating the unearned shame that comes from thinking we should be different. Only once we are free to accept ourselves as we are do we become free to become better versions of ourselves. 

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I don’t follow a simple formula and I don’t try to work quickly. I tell people it takes 6 sessions to build trust and 12 before you notice whether my counterintuitive approach is working. Historically, for most people that has typically meant they should expect a two year process in order to ensure lasting change. This change comes from the discovery of and healing from root cause issues. The length of time this takes has been one of the primary motivators behind the development of the community based, wholistic, innovative and integrated coaching model which promises to significantly reduce the need for one-on-one sessions.

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I have a large tool bag of techniques and I like to compare this to playing a golf course where we journey together and we size up the club we need for each shot as we go. The other analogy I like to use would be a Sherpa who agrees to journey up your Everest of life change. I’ve been up the mountain many times first with myself and with many others since, but every journey is different and just because we’ve found water in a spot before does not mean we will again. I have become very adept at adjusting the approach on the fly and given enough time, the success rate is nearly 100%.

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My approach explores how cognition (one’s thoughts and beliefs), affect (one’s emotions and desires), and narrative (one’s story and its meaning) impact behavior. I view this process as a collaborative effort in helping persons recognize strengths, identify needs, understand conflicts, discover new options, set growth goals, and make informed choices.

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As you progress, we will spend a lot of time working through real tangible examples from your daily life. This is when I say “the basics become advanced”. I also refer to this as a Narrative Based Approach and spend a lot of time with what I call After Action Reviews which is teaching you how to see what I see so that in time you no longer need me.

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While I operate from a Christian worldview and enjoy helping people connect with God, out of care and respect I do not impose my beliefs or opinions onto clients. I hope you will find this to be a truly accepting space no matter where you are coming from. God longs to redeem our personal hurts and our relational harmony. If you are struggling with issues related to God and Faith and Church then welcome to the ever growing club. We are all in relationships with self and others.