Some of the more common reasons people seek out my professional services are to get help with the following problems (not listed in any particular order): stress; anxiety; depression; excessive guilt and/or worry; relationship difficulties; work and school difficulties; compulsions, addictions and chemical dependencies; eating problems and disorders; chronic tiredness, fatigue, and general lack of motivation; “mid-life crisis;” challenges resulting from lifestyle transitions; sleep difficulties; physical problems that their physicians cannot satisfactorily treat; the aftereffects of (childhood and adult) trauma; the consequences of emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse; a general lack of satisfaction with their lives, and a wish to achieve their fullest potentials.
I work with couples who are married and not married. They present challenging and unresolved problems prior to living together, and while living together. I work with couples who are engaged, married, transitioning to divorce, and divorced. Some people I work with are focused on issues related to children: whether or not to have children, when to have children, how many children to have, and a variety of co-parenting issues.
Some other issues I frequently work with include: balancing the needs and preferences for alone and together time; addressing different preferences with regard to the division of household and other responsibilities; sexual problems and incompatibilities; affairs (sexual and emotional); conflicts over finances; relationships with in-laws and (same-gender and other-gender) friends; chronic or excessive use of a substance, or substances, by one or both of the partners; conflicts over one partner’s participation levels in an activity or activities outside of the home; emotional and physical distancing; repetitive and destructive arguments and fights (negative interaction cycles); a general lack of emotional engagement in the relationship (as with the partners feeling like they are just roommates); a loss of love, caring, or respect for the partner.
With regard to working with families, I work with a couple (or only one parent present) plus the addition of a minor or grown child or children, and/or a parent, or other members of the family present. (With families and step-families these combinations can get creative.) Some of the typical issues I deal with are: conflicts over household responsibilities; use of drugs; a breakdown of discipline; a breakdown of civility (that is, family members not treating one another with respect, consideration, empathy, or concern); poor communication and conflict resolution skills; the problem of one member of a family over-functioning and another under-functioning; disputes and tensions over money and time priorities; school and work problems; the complications involving a psychiatric illness in one member of the family; a chronic or serious medical problem in a family member; the expected or actual death of a family member; religious, political, social, cultural or other major differences between family members.
I work a lot with psychologically sophisticated communication and conflict resolution skills. I draw upon the resources of many different theoretical approaches in doing psychotherapy (therapy). However, I put theories in the background while in sessions. I am focused on tailoring my therapeutic approaches to the unique needs and personalities of my clients. One size never fits all. I emphasize that effective therapy focuses on relationships — not on procedures and exercises.
I see most of my clients on a fee-for-service basis, but I do work with a few insurance companies. (I have much concern for confidentiality.) Please call me (at 561-302-0568) for more details on this matter.
I see clients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays — mornings, afternoons, and evenings — and on Saturday mornings and afternoons.
I don’t do any other kind of work. I’m a full-time couple therapist and psychotherapist. I devote my time and energies to being, and becoming, the most effective, competent, helpful, and sensitive psychotherapist I can be.
