Therapy Style
Over the last 20 years, as researchers have studied what helps people accomplish their goals in therapy, they have found that the quality of the relationship with the therapist is twice as important as the kind of skills, advice, and solutions that the therapist provides. What the client brings to the table in terms of willingness to grow and change, determination, supportive outside relationships, and skills is even more important than what the therapist brings (see graph to the right).
Because I want your therapy to be as successful as possible, my primary focus will be on building a trusting, supportive relationship with you. I will ask you about the kinds of skills and support systems you already have working for you and we will collaborate to build strong resources outside of our sessions that can support your growth process during and after therapy.
I strive to keep up-to-date on the research about therapeutic approaches and techniques that have been most successful with the particular concerns you bring, and that fit well with the kind of person you are. We will go as fast or as slow as you would like.
In my work with you, I will draw on the following approaches to therapy, tailoring them to fit your needs within a specific, consistent treatment plan: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Person Centered, Existential, Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused, Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), and Dialectic Behavioral (DBT).
Therapeutic Factors'
Percent Contribution to Successful Client Outcomes
Source: Lambert, M.J., & Barley, D.E. (2002). Research summary on the therapeutic relationship and psychotherapy outcome. In J. Norcross (Ed.), Psychotherapy relationships that work: Therapist contributions and responsiveness to patients. Oxford University Press.
Spirituality
My own spiritual background is in the Christian tradition. If it is important to you to approach your therapy from this world view, please let me know. Regardless of your philosophical and spiritual background and preferences, I will always strive to support you in pursuing the values and resources that you feel will best support your progress in therapy.
Education
MA, Counseling, CACREP Accredited Counseling Licensure Program, DENVER SEMINARY
MA, English Literature,
BA, English and American Literature,
Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Prepare and Enrich Marital and Pre-Marital Counseling Certification
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained (Level II)
Publications
Bogue, B.; Diebel, J.; O'Connor, T. (2008). Combining Officer Supervision Skills. Perspectives: The Journal of the American Probation and Parole Association, 32(2), 30-45.
Group, Inc. (2009). Group's emergency response handbook: Answers and tips for parents. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, Inc.
Other Areas of Expertise
In addition to my background in counseling, I am also experienced in the following areas:
- Business management
- Professional training seminars
- Curricula design and development
- Technical and creative writing and editing
- Spiritual Direction program development, training, and supervision
- Criminal justice system evaluation and training
- Teaching writing to grade school through college students
- Providing quality assurance for counselors using Motivational Interviewing
- Coaching counselors, probation officers, and employees
- Facilitating CBT and Relapse Prevention groups for drug addicted juvenile delinquents
- Research and data management
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