I've been practicing counseling since 1985. Before that I worked in residential programs with people on probation and people with developmental disabilities. Over the years I've studied and tried a number of different approaches to find ways that we can help each other lead more satisfying and fulfilling lives.

Currently I've found that the approach that is called "Solution-Oriented" comes closest to feeling comfortable to me. I also borrow heavily from theorists who call their approaches Narrative, Strategic, Solution-Focused and Cognitive Behavioral. Most people aren't interested in that, so if you're not, it's not very important. If you want me to explain, I'll be glad to.

Much of my training has been to learn how to help people make their relationships more satisfying. The places I've worked have given me a wide range of experience and finding ways to simplify everyday life is a special interest of mine.

Here are some of the things that I bring to my work:

Counseling should focus on the your concerns rather than what I might think is good for you (I believe that in most cases, I don't know). All of our work should be aimed at reaching the goals we jointly agree upon. The focus doesn't have to be a medicaly defined "diagnosis" but may be anything that you consider important.

You have more strengths than deficits. Sometimes when we are having difficulties, we focus on our mistakes or failures and we tend to forget that we are more than our failures. An important element of counseling is identifying strengths and putting them to use in the problem context.

Counseling works best when all parties work together to accomplish mutually agreed-upon goals. People don't "get counseling" so much as they participate in a discussion that is part of a process of change.

It is not always necessary to go into the past to find solutions for the future. I tend to focus on the present and future but if you feel it would be helpful to go into the past, that is what we need to talk about.

Individuals control and are responsible for their actions but not their feelings. While you are not responsible for your feelings but you can control how you respond to them. Often, when you change your actions, feelings will also change.