Commonly asked questions about my counseling:

Do you see children or adolescents?

No, I work with adults. That said, I do see parents who may be having difficulties with their children or adolescents.

Do you do couple counseling?

Yes, about half of my practice is devoted to working with couples. And in some cases, the individuals I see come in because of relational struggles.

What’s your philosophy of counseling?

That’s a fair question but difficult to answer succinctly. While I certainly understand the various schools of thought, I try to use what’s most helpful from each of them while not being tied rigidly to any one of them. I always attempt to tailor the approach to the individual, taking into consideration all of the factors present. I also try to consider the relational context for individual struggles. Relationships can hurt us but healthy relationships can bring about healing and growth.

How long will this take?

Again, that’s a fair question but difficult to answer in a one-size-fits-all manner. Here’s the way I look at it. We’ll move as quickly as we can but take the time required to accomplish the goals in a satisfactory manner. In some cases, we’re time-limited for one reason or another and we’ll get as much accomplished in the time we’ve got. Symptom-relief is helpful but, if time allows, we’d also like to address those factors giving rise to the symptoms.

How often will we meet?

At our first session, we’ll make that determination together based upon all the particulars that need to be considered.

What happens on the first session?

I’ll ask you questions that will help me grasp why you’re here and what you’re hoping to accomplish. We’ll also discuss what the counseling process looks like moving ahead.

How active are you in the process?

I won’t do all the talking nor will I just sit there and say nothing. Our time will be interactive.  Sometimes, people want feedback and instruction. At other times, they want a listening ear and a place to think out loud or say what they can’t say in other places. I always try to be sensitive to both needs.

So, what’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychologists have doctoral degrees (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) and are licensed to work with people on the non-medical aspects of their struggles. I’m a psychologist. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, have medical degrees (MD) and have completed psychiatric residencies subsequent to medical school. For the most part, psychiatrists attend to the medical aspects of a person’s struggle, such as the prescribing of medications.

Do you coordinate with other professionals?

Certainly, if and when such coordination is needed. But no communication can take place without your prior knowledge and authorization.

How do the finances work?

As mentioned on the Home page, I do participate in many insurance plans. I will give you some information regarding finances at our first session which should answer most of your questions. I’m certainly open to further questions at any point.