Counseling Specialty
My counseling specialty is Couples Counseling, Marital Therapy, and Relationship Issues. I have over 20 years of qualified experience working with couples and marriage partners. I am a solution-focused therapist in private practice, licensed to practice professional counseling in the state of Ohio. I wrote my doctoral dissertation on comparing selected marital characteristics found in a variety of demographically assorted marriages. These characteristics included marital relationship outcomes and expectations, known generally as marriage satisfaction dynamics.
Approach to Counseling
Having been married for many years with four adult children, I bring a wealth of personal and real-life experience to my work with couples and married individuals. My basic approach is to provide a confidential and safe environment in which my clients can honestly share their problems and concerns. I often use a variety of counseling strategies and techniques to help them effectively deal with the situation at hand. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy are among the treatment approaches that I may employ as counseling resources. My goal is to help clients realistically deal with dysfunctional or problematical situations, which prevent them from being their normal selves and living healthy fulfilling lives.
Professional Qualifications
I am currently a member of the American Psychotherapy Association and former member of the American Counseling Association. My annual continuing education credits include workshops and seminars on Couples Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy.
An overview of my work-history and academic career reflects a diversified and extensive pattern of advancement and effectiveness. In addition to my counseling and mental health work I am an experienced administrator, trainer, workshop/seminar leader, teacher, and public speaker. I hold both the Master of Divinity Degree and Master of Arts in Christian Education Degree from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and the Doctor of Philosophy Degree from The Ohio State University with an emphasis in professional counseling and education.
Personal Skills and Interests
I have strong relational and interpersonal communication skills. I try to find consensus in decision-making and prefer collegial interaction as a workplace style; am an analytical thinker and strategic planner and prefer collegial interaction as a workplace design. On the other hand, my counseling and psychotherapy focus is on working with couples and marriage partners.
I enjoy helping these persons grow, change, be themselves, set goals, solve problems, effectively manage issues, and to reach fulfillment in their relationships.