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I believe that the counseling process is a collaboration between counselor and client.

At the same time, I believe that you as the client are “in charge” of the counseling session.

To help me achieve this balance, I employ an eclectic set of counseling approaches. I primarily work with clients to help them increase self-awareness and self-compassion. I use cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and psychodynamic therapy, as well as a variety of other tools and techniques to enhance the effectiveness of my work. I believe in tailoring my approach to counseling based on the needs and personality of each of my clients.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral counseling is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. Cognitive-behavioral counseling is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. The benefit is that we can change the way we think in order to feel and act better even if the situation does not change.

Person-Centered Counseling

Person-centered counseling is founded on the belief that people tend to move toward growth and healing and have the capacity to find their own answers. This tendency is helped along by an accepting and understanding climate, which the person-centered counselor seeks to provide above all else.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic counseling focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behavior. The goal of psychodynamic counseling is a client’s self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior.

The Enneagram

I am particularly fond of something called the Enneagram (pronounced ‘any-uh-gram’). It is a human development system that has been in existence for centuries. It is incredibly accurate in its identification of nine personality profiles or types.

Each type has a distinct, well-developed coping strategy for relating to self, others, and the environment. Each of the nine types also has its own precise path to psychological and spiritual freedom. Therefore, the Enneagram names the obstacle between you and your best self, while also mapping out the path to that more actualized, aware self. As a counseling tool, I find it to be indispensable.

When used in conjunction with traditional counseling, the Enneagram allows me to help my clients quickly identify their unique gifts and challenges. This alone is very empowering to them. From there, their path towards increased emotional and psychological health, awareness, and happiness is much clearer — much more in their control — and the work of navigating that path is greatly expedited.

For more information on the Enneagram, please refer to the following links:

• The Narrative Enneagram
• The Enneagram Institute
• Enneagram.com

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