Joseph Banken

From early in my life I have been interested in how the mind works. Why people do what they do and how they do it has always been fascinating to me. I have always wanted to develop a better understanding of the complexities of human behavior.

I have a particular interest in helping adults define personal challenges and try new solutions, and then learn to assess their own effectiveness in working through challenges related to depression, anxieties, medical conditions, and the ongoing adjustment to life changes. Although I am flexible in meeting the needs of my clients, I work best with clients who are interested in making and applying thinking and behavior changes to everyday life.

I am most excited to work with clients who are motivated for change and yet ambivalent about how to best move forward. It is rewarding to work with clients who are willing to take small calculated risks in life.

I wish all clients knew the true resilience of each person and how each of us have tremendous value and capacity for positive change. Our hardships can make us stronger, somewhat like metals that become strengthened through repeated trials of heating and cooling . In human terms, I firmly believe that most everyone has the intrinsic capacity to become stronger with experiences in which they were once feeling, overwhelmed, weak, and broken.

Thriveworks impresses me as an exciting, innovative company. From my first interaction with personnel at Thriveworks, I felt a positive work culture. The level of professionalism and a focus on quality client care attracted me to the company. I also appreciate how the company models innovative ways to meet the needs of clients through values of integrity, honesty, and seeking to do good.

I am inspired by the beauty of nature, sacred art from times past, and classical music, particularly Antonin Dvorak's New World Symphony. New experiences and the almost limitless strength of the human spirit inspire me.

In the first session the client will get to know me and my style of working with them. Also, I will learn much about the client's values and goals for counseling. The client can expect feeling valued as a person, understood, and that I am meeting where they are at the time of coming into therapy. Clients can expect to quickly feel a sense of partnership.

I want to get to know and understand the client and help the client come to understand me as a person and therapist. I want to understand what is most important to the client and for the client to feel a sense of trust in the evolving therapy relationship. I also would like to plan tentative goals on which to focus when the client comes back.

Clients will know that working with me from the beginning will help them feel a sense of purpose and optimism about addressing life's challenges. I want the client to understand that the real answers are likely within themselves, but may not ideally manifest until skills in thinking and behaving are first accomplished.

I enjoy traveling and watching vintage movies. I also like to dream of buying a new Corvette.

I love dogs and enjoy learning about dog behavior. I have strong family interests. I enjoy cycling around rural areas of Edmond Oklahoma, wind permitting, acknowledging this is somewhat of a risky hobby.