About Therapy
You’re here because you’re choosing positive change.
Have you had enough of the “old me” staring back at you in the mirror?
The shadow of hopelessness or constant worry surrounding your life each day wears you down. You’re ready to work on and embracing all the good things that life offers.
Maybe you’re caught in a cycle of grief that you can’t escape or struggling to control the anger that seems to consume you.
Is the relationship with your spouse or partner not what it used to be? You know you both can get back the fierce love and intimacy you once shared. But you need help to reclaim what your relationship is meant to be.
You’ve come to the right place for a change!
Together, we’ll help you learn how to grow into your best self.
My one goal is to help you get to your TRUE SELF.
Many people do not live “happy.” They pretend that they have what they want in life but go to bed unsatisfied every night.
But they’re lying to themselves.
Self-improvement takes work, but it isn’t something you have to do alone. Through therapy, every session can help you get one step closer to the fulfilling, joyful life you deserve.
You can learn to stress the positive attributes and lessen the troubling ones.
Let’s work together to find your true self!
Getting it out of your system…
Finally, having a nonjudgmental and unbiased partner to express your true feelings is important in the therapeutic process.
It’s not easy admitting things we probably told no one else! Like admitting there might be a lot of anger in your life and you’ve acted in ways that don’t make you proud.
Or telling the truth about how anxious you feel, just approaching a new person. Admitting to the feeling of abandonment that leads to your depression.
Talking to a therapist will let you bring out the guilt you feel from your relationship with a now-deceased person.
You’ll feel relieved after our session together. I’ve had clients tell me things, “I’ve never told anyone else…,” and they felt GREAT afterward.
Therapy WORKS!
I want you to be relaxed and comfortable when you walk into my office.
Notice all the “beach scenes” on the walls of my office – I just love to think about the ocean and how calming it is.
Is that a “Blues Brothers” Poster over there? (It is.)
This furniture is very relaxing – and at least six feet from the counselor.
I also like the cool blue paint on the walls.
You’ll find that talking to me will be like talking to your oldest friend (well, I am not THAT old).
Our therapeutic alliance will be the most important thing…
I firmly believe in a positive relationship with my clients.
We MUST trust each other. Trust and truth will be a large part of our success.
I will be very empathetic but also candid with you. I am sincere and direct in my language. My clients appreciate I do not hold back what I feel needs to be said.
This direct, honest, but empathetic approach will allow us to move forward and reach our goals in counseling.
My clients look forward to their next appointment!
Empathetic, honest, direct, solution-based.
My clients enjoy the ride of being my client. We get along like old chums, but make no mistake – I am your therapist, not your friend.
I find my clients appreciate the ability to speak their minds (cuss if they must) and get the feedback necessary for them to grow and change positively.
They readily schedule the next appointment before leaving.
My clients both enter and exit the office with a smile on their faces. And I want the same for you, too.
About Me
I’m a former high school teacher, and I was best at helping students in need.
I taught high school English for 16 years and have taught college English for another 5.
I enjoyed bringing reluctant young students to not only an understanding of poetry, but respect for it (maybe even love??)
I could easily identify the students in my classroom who were struggling (through their work quality, body language, attitude). I worked very hard to help them understand that the goal of education and school was to help them “learn how to learn” – and not just memorize stuff.
I once had a student with ADHD, and he was reticent to read or even speak in class. I encouraged him to read more things on his own that he was interested in (but written by professional writers), and he became more confident. I called on him and controlled the amount he read or shared with the class, and he was becoming more confident. Every day I would talk to him and encourage him with truth – he was getting better in class! By the end of the school year, he raised his hand, offering to read and share his thoughts, and he got a much higher grade in the class! In fact, he took the AP test the next year and passed! I felt so happy for the young man.
I’m a current high school football coach…
My father was a high school coach for 25 years.
I loved going to practices with him and watching how he motivated the players.
It was a lot rougher then.
I have coached HS football now for 24 years (7 as a HEAD COACH). I learned that the best way to get players to play for you is to show them how much you love and respect them.
I teach them how to think fast on their feet (we run a no-huddle, fast-paced offense). I also teach them how to communicate with each other.
I use a very disciplined approach and teach my players how to be self-disciplined. Their successes have shown in their accomplishments on the field, in school, and later in life.
I have helped young men become doctors, lawyers, accountants, nurses, police officers, firefighters, independent business owners, and even an anchorman on TV.
The lessons football has taught me, and I have shared with hundreds (if not thousands) of players, are lessons that positively impact life.
A little about my educational background…
I have master’s degrees in English literature, education, and, of course, mental health counseling. I also have a doctorate in educational leadership (I specialize in positive motivation).
In other words – I know how to use the English language (and how others manipulate it). I am an excellent teacher (which translates to counseling very well). I have learned the most up-to-date information in the world of mental health counseling.
As for my Doctorate – I learned how to coach/teach from a person I consider being the “best football coach in Ohio (he would call himself a teacher).” I have integrated his approach into my own – POSITIVE MOTIVATION! I have learned from the best how to motivate students, players, and now clients to reach their personal goals and feel good doing so.
When I’m not doing therapy…
I enjoy spending time with my wife of almost 30 years and our two Miniature Pinschers.
I also love going to concerts and look forward to attending at least five per year again soon.
Team up with me today!
Reach out to me today, and we will team up to meet your needs.
You have waited long enough.
Today is a good day to get started on that path to a new, real, and true you! Call and let’s get started: (380) 201-2072.