Areas of Focus

  • Purpose-driven Life
  • Depression & Grief
  • Anger & Stress
  • Trauma & Posttraumatic Stress
  • Anxiety & Phobias
  • Assertiveness & Independence
  • Relationship Dynamics
  • Frequent Mood Swings
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Body Image
  • Co-Dependency
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Chronic Physcial Pain
  • Impulse Control
  • Gender Identity
  • Social Anxiety
  • Self-esteem

Methods

The first and most important focus of counseling is to tailor treatment to the needs of the individual. Although I use a variety of methods, over-focus on specific techniques can actually detract from effectiveness. You’re the expert when it comes to your story, and after working together to understand what the problem is, we then decide the methods to fit your needs and comfort. All of my counseling methods are research-based with documented effectiveness of outcome.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Replacing self-defeating thought patterns with healthy ones, leading to new choices in how you react to your environment, relationships, and internal imbalances. These counseling techniques range from role playing to written exercises and are incorporated into traditional talk therapy.

Archetype Work & Jungian Psychology

Broader exploration of personality patterns throughout your lifetime and how to negotiate these to increase choice-making from authentic self. Though this work requires use of imagination and ability to think in abstracts, it leads to a concrete blueprint of self that directly guides decisions in all life areas.

Psychotherapy for individuals, couples therapy and marriage counseling

Guided Imagery & Visualization / Relaxation

Use of imagined scenes and sensations paired with physical relaxation exercises to create a more balanced state of mind, including sleep regulation, trauma resolution, decreased physical pain, and stress management.

Hypnotherapy

A more in-depth tier of guided visualization, hypnosis uses a relaxed, focused state of mind called alpha wave brain state to introduce agreed-upon suggestions. We all visit alpha wave state at least twice daily–just before falling asleep and as we’re waking up–as well as during meditation or even “zoning out” while driving. It’s a natural state when the mind is most open to suggestions and subconcious patterns can be influenced. Unlike what you may see portrayed through television and other media, you’re in complete control, may remain restfully alert, and cannot be made to do anything you wouldn’t normally do. I encourage recording of these sessions, and we’ll work together to individualize them toward your specific goal. Please note that insurance doesn’t cover hypnotherapy but does typcially cover guided visualization.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Combination of verbal cues and self-applied acupressure, proven effective with most problems, particularly phobic anxieties. Acupressure uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing potential, reducing muscular tension, increasing circulation, and releasing blockages that fuel negative emotion. The theory is 5,000 years old and is being incorporated into today’s medical science and psychotherapy.

“I’ve loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.”
Galileo Galilei
Astronomer

Life Coaching

Examination of basic life factors that influence motivation and well-being, including daily structure, recreational pursuits, time/financial/vocational management, relationship factors, the general dynamics of environment, and that ultimate question…Who am I?

General Symptom Management & Education

Aid in learning how to be functional in your life despite certain problems that may remain necessarily ongoing. Sometimes seeing a problem with increased understanding feels like its own solution, and this basic form of counseling can also be helpful when loved ones are included in becoming better educated about your personal challenges.

Psychotherapy for individuals, couples therapy and marriage counseling Asheville