Many parents ask me how they should describe counseling to children and what they might say, especially if the child has never seen a counselor before. I suggest something like the following:

"A counselor is a person, kind of like a teacher, who is trained to help you express your feelings, talk out your thoughts, or solve problems that might need solving. We think that a counselor will be helpful to you because you have mentioned that you are ... [ more ]

I've been counseling teenagers (adolescents ages 13 to 18) for 20 years. I currently have three teens of my own. I enjoy the teen years. Adolescence is a dynamic and complex experience. It's the ultimate Yin and Yang: there is struggle, and strength; pain, and joy. New ideas and concepts emerge, thoughts deepen, and emotions broaden. This is one of the most challenging developmental periods in a person's lifetime... [ more ]

I spent the first 10 years of my career counseling families in their homes through a program called Family Reconciliation Services. It was a unique and remarkable experience. I learned first-hand that each family is unique and thus each therapeutic focus must be unique. Although strategies, concepts, and skills served similar purposes in various families... [ more ]

I have three different approaches to counseling adults. Acute Problem-Focused Therapy is for individuals who, despite years of living a relatively happy and healthy life, find current challenges overwhelming and are in need of some support. Persistent Patterned-Focused Therapy is right for individuals who have had a lifetime of dysfunctional patterns getting in the way of achieving a happy, healthy life. Motivational counseling is... [ more ]