Areas of Focus

Do you struggle with addiction? You're not alone. There is a path to healing and a way to create a fulfilling life. I know the addiction field well. I worked at a dual-diagnosis addiction treatment center for three years. There I worked with all ages from young adults all the way to retirees and senior citizens. My primary specialty there was working with the young adults and medical professionals including doctors, nurses, technicians, and veterinarians. 

I know 12-step very well, but that doesn't mean you have to go that route. Let's find what works for you. Other modalities I use include mindfulness, IFS, CBT, and psychedelic assisted therapy. 

Together we will figure out your goals. One of the ways I help with addictions, is to heal the underlying reasons for the addiction.

Do you feel like you are take  over by the addict part of you and you simply cannot stop it? Are intense emotions and unhealthy relationship patterns affecting your life? Do you feel shame after engaging in excessive porn and casual hook-ups? You're not alone. I help people struggling with compulsive sexual behaviors, unwanted porn use, and unhealthy attachments find lasting change. Therapy can provide a safe space to understand these patterns and build healthier relationships with yourself and others. No judgment here.

Background and The Inner Journey

Although psychedelics were abused socially in the 1970s and 1980's, prior to that and for more than 70 years psychedelics have been used in a therapeutic way with a trusted therapist or guide. For the past 50 years therapists have been trying to make psychedelics legal for therapeutic use. And as of 2024 are extremely near that goal.

The Food & Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) fast-tracked the research into psychedelics once they recognized how effective these treatments are for people with PTSD, for people with depression, and for people with anxiety as they battle fatal illness such as cancer. In fact, MDMA (not technically a psychedelic,- more on that later) research has already completed Phase 3 clinical trials and the research has been submitted to the FDA which will decide on August 12, 2024. Psilocybin research is not far behind. Other psychedelics including LSD, ibogaine, ayahuasca, and others are being researched. Ketamine is already legal and being widely implemented and researched for a variety of uses in a variety of ways.

This isn't the rave scene. The method for administering these psychedelics differs greatly from the way people used these medicines socially. Before social use, it was used in a therapeutic setting with counselors sitting with the client as the client laid on a couch or bed with eye covers and listening  to therapeutic music through headphones. It is an inner journey.

Preparation & Harm Reduction

Can these psychedelics be harmful? If not used in the proper way, yes. The set and setting of the administration of the psychedelic medicine is important and can greatly impact the experience. The "set" is the mindset of the client. Thus it is important to prepare in an informed way. The setting is the where, when, what, what amount, and who will be present. A safe, welcoming  environment with people the client feels safe with is absolutely important.

I have training in this area and have provided this support for clients. Bring your curiosity and we can explore. The types of therapies I use will assist in preparing you for a richer experience.

Integration

After a person has had a psychedelic experience either guided or not, I can assist in making sense of this experience and integrating in a productive way into your life and your growth. Even if a person has had what some might call a "bad trip" (seasoned users don't use the term as much) it can be immensely beneficial.

I have training in this area too and the types of therapies I use work extremely well with psychedelic integration.

Are you deeply depressed about a recent (or even not so recent) break up?

Are you and your partner struggling to connect? Feeling unheard or misunderstood? Or even downright hostile towards each other. You're not alone.

Revive the connection and love. Learn how to re-connect with yourself and your partner. Learn communication skills for a stronger relationship and more fulfilling life.

Many couples experience communication breakdowns and disconnection and even feelings of hatred. There is hope. As a licensed mental health counselor specializing in couples counseling, I can help you and your partner develop the communication skills needed to build a happier, healthier relationship.

I'm [Your Name], a passionate therapist dedicated to helping couples reconnect and thrive. I provide a safe and supportive space for couples to explore their challenges and develop new ways of relating. No judgement here either, I get it!

Do you find these things are happening:

Talking over each other?

Having the same arguments repeatedly?

Struggling to express your needs effectively?

Feeling unheard or misunderstood?

If so, couples counseling can help. 

I can help you and your partner:

Develop active listening skills

Learn to express your needs and emotions clearly

Resolve conflict constructively

Rebuild trust and intimacy

Create a more positive and supportive relationship dynamic

Increase intimacy and connection

Strengthen your emotional bond

Improve problem-solving skills

Build a more fulfilling and lasting relationship

Did you do sexual things when you were a child? Did you have things done to you, with you, or maybe you did things to another child (referred to as "child-on-child").

You are not alone. Because these experiences often go unreported, it is difficult to estimate the prevalence. Some estimates say that 50% of sex abuse cases are from children under the age of 18. 

These experiences can go unaddressed. Due to shame and fear of repercussions, among other mixed and confusing emotions, both the victim and perpetrator may never get the counseling and resources they need. In adulthood this can manifest in many different ways. The child develops ways of being that protect him or her from feeling the pain. These ways of being, while helpful as a child, can cause problems later in life. For instance, disassociation may help a child cope with the trauma, hurt, and confusion of the experience, but dissociation can cause relational and emotional and behavioral problems later in life. That's just one of many examples.

The first thing is to feel safe and have tools to help soothe oneself, and then one can explore. The exploration will reveal ways that a person protects themselves from feeling that old trauma or any current hurt.  The aim will be to learn about and relate to the parts of us who are there to protect us. Once that is established and there is a feeling of confidence and safety, more exploration can be done into the pain and into healing that pain. 

This is not a race and each person can go at their own pace.