I decided to become a counselor while working at a community mental health agency as a Research Associate. I spent hours asking clients simple, closedended questions, sometimes for hours at a time. I learned alot from that job though. I learned that no matter how "simple" someone's problems seem, they are often very complex and require time, patience and genuine trust-building to get to the root of the issue, and truly be able to provide relief. Over time, that's what I became interested in. Getting clear about what the issue or problem is and helping clients making tangible, lasting changes that improve their quality of life.

I work best with client that are clear about what their problems are and that respond well to cognitive approaches in therapy. For example, are they able to think through their emotions and motivation for their behaviors or do they get so overwhelmed by their feelings and physical sensations that they "shut down" and aren't as easily able to access their thoughts?

I wish all clients knew that therapy takes time and effort to truly be effective. At best, you get out of it what you put in, but you have to put in the effort. It's not a magic pill, it's a tool that has strengths and limitations just like every other tool available to us.

Clients can expect a structured but causal approach. I'm just as interested in getting to know you as I am in wanting to understand what you're struggling with and how I can help. I believe that true "helping" can only come after you get to know and understand a person. Only then can you begin to understand their "problems" and identify what they need.

I start with getting to know the person and understanding their problem before making any suggestions on what treatment should look like.