Adult Individual Psychotherapy

• Depression
• ADD/ADHD
• Anxiety
• Relationship Issues
• Stress Management  
• Bi-Polar Disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive behaviors

What kind of treatment is effective for these conditions?

Treating these complex conditions often requires a multi-faceted approach that considers the individual and their lifestyle on holistic basis. It's important to explore all facets of a person such as:

sleep - quality and quantity,

food and alcohol consumption,

genetics & family of origin history

prescription medications

connections with others and sources of emotional support

exercise and hobbies.

My approach in treating patients includes psycho-education in which we look at the affects of sleep, exercise, eating, screen time & inner dialogue on the brain and the body. The brain only weighs about 3 lbs., but is responsible for cognition, judgement, impulse control, emotions and decision making. Seemingly small decisions about self care can have an enormous impact on how well the brain functions and how well an individual feels physically and emotionally. In therapy, I also explore an individual's self talk or inner dialogue which effects emotions, energy and outer behavior and is key in understanding beliefs and expectations of oneself, others and the future.

In short, there can be no health without mental health!

What if my needs change over time?

A significant advantage for individuals that I meet with is the availability of other mental health professionals within the same practice at Northwest Behavioral Medicine.  Many clients appreciate and benefit from the collaborative environment at Northwest Behavioral Medicine where they can meet with one of our experienced, caring psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses for medication evaluation and then meet with a skilled, compassionate therapist for ongoing psychotherapy.  This collaborative environment allows therapists, like me, to work closely with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses and other counselors in ensuring the best possible outcome for each individual.

If it becomes necessary for an individual to seek expertise which I don't currently possess, such as marriage/family therapy or substance abuse counseling, expert help in these and many other areas can be found at Northwest Behavioral Medicine and again, with the individual's approval, therapists can collaborate in order to ensure consistent, expert support for multiple life challenges.

Career Exploration and Counseling

• Career Exploration
• Testing and Assessment Interpetation using:

1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
2. Strong Interest Inventory
3. The Highlands Ability Battery

• Resume Review and Enhancement
• Interview Preparation
• Salary Negotiation

We spend many hours and considerable energy at work over the course of our lifetimes. Doing work that is interesting and leverages strengths, those skills that we use easily and effortlessly, makes work feel less like work.  I like to think of this type of work as 'rowing with the current'.  A former client recently said, "I'm much happier, excited to get up in the morning and looking forward to the future."

Isn't that the kind of work we all want? 

How do I figure out what career/s best fit me?

Determining what you want to do, career-wise, is a daunting proposition for most.  It means giving up a 'known' for an 'unknown'.  Even when the 'known' has become stale or nearly intolerable, at least it's a paycheck.  Many times, it takes a crisis such as a health problem or a company layoff or staff reduction to force the career or job change.

When contemplating changing careers we may know what we DON'T want to do, but aren't sure what we DO want to do.

Completing assessments often increases self-awareness and may validate what clients have known at a 'gut level' about themselves.  Various exercises or activities that clients do outside of the career counseling sesion will also assist in illuminating important information about oneself.

If I make a career change, will I have to start over financially?

This is a common concern among most people.  Often, career changes don't require starting over.  Past experiences and acquired skills can be leveraged in the new career field which allows most individuals to avoid settling for an entry level salary.

The key is finding relationships between past experiences and skills gained in prior jobs with the requirements of a new field.

In addition to my own major career change, I've successfully partnered with many clients as they explore their values, abilities, transferable skills and life goals to determine what career would best fit them.

What should my resume include? 

Your resume should focus on proven results that sell your accomplishments, positive results and strengths. Your resume, is one of your most important marketing tools in a job search.  A strong resume won’t get you a job, but it can get you an interview.  With many years experience in Executive Recruiting, I know what hiring managers and HR professionals look for in a resume.

What else do I need besides a resume?

You will need other 'tools' in the job searching process including:

• an 'elevator speech'
• business cards
• networking strategies
• interview preparation
• salary negotiation

You may be in a job search and aren’t sure how to effectively connect with potential employers.  You may be anxious about interviewing and salary negotiation. I can help you create and implement an effective job search strategy and can also assist with interview preparation and salary negotiation.

Career Coaching/Counseling – Today’s workplace is challenging and most people could use assistance in effectively handling issues with co-workers, the boss or the ongoing uncertainties found in so many organizations.

Payment for Individual Counseling/Psychotherapy

Services for individual psychotherapy are eligible for coverage by insurance. Insurance accepted:

 - CIGNA

- AETNA

For patients who are not covered by these insurance plans or who prefer to self-pay, my rate for a 55 minute session is $115.00

Payment for Career Counseling

Services for career counseling, resume development, career exploration, etc are not covered by insurance.  I accept cash, VISA or MasterCard for this type of assistance