Theoretical Orientation

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. What that means is that I have completed a Master's degree in counseling, completed practicum training, and have passed the required board exams to be licensed by the State of Texas to provide psychotherapeutic services. My internship rotations were at Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital and Gonino Wellness Center in Rowlett / Rockwall.

I completed a 6-month practicum at Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital in Dallas. There, working under the supervision of Judy Keith, LPC-S. I worked with adult trauma patients (inpatient and outpatient). I provided individual and group therapy for a variety of Axis I & II disorders. I led and designed psychoeducational materials for the following groups: process, Dialectic Behavior Therapy, trauma education, and music in addition to charting progress notes, conducting psychosocials, developing treatment plans, discharge planning, and relapse prevention (JCAHO). I've worked in the Child & Adolescent Unit providing group, individual and family therapy. As Coordinator for the Adult Partial Hospital Program, I provide intensive outpatient therapy for general adult psych and dual diagnosis patients.

All psychotherapy begins with a therapist and his or her theoretical orientation. A theoretical orientation refers to the psychological theories the therapist bases their work on. These theories provide a foundation for everything from conceptualizing the problem(s) to techniques used to help solve the problem(s).

The treatment I offer is based on relational theories (specifically, 'object relations') within a developmental and attachment framework. I view personality as a byproduct of a client's unique biology and early environment. I do not view behavior or emotional states as random things. I believe that they are the results of early interaction with a consideration of the client's unique natural, or biological, predisposition. I use these relational and developmental theories to explore client dynamics (inner world) and current mood and relating. The theorists whose work I rely on include: Margaret Mahler, Karen Horney, Althea Horner, D.W. Winnicott, John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth.

The techniques that arise from these theories are eclectic (varied) and are dependent on where you are in the therapeutic process. There are creative and dramatic techniques for those times where experiential growth is needed and then there are quiet and introspective techniques where understanding is needed. Overall, these theories look for root causes and then brings them into the here-and-now; into the present where we work on them.

In individual therapy I base my work on research that comes from cognitive-behavioral theory (CBT), mindfulness practices, attachment , and object-relations studies. As a practitioner I utilize a variety of psychodynamic, cognitive and experiential techniques. The specific school of experiential theories that I rely on is Gestalt therapy.

In family therapy, I base my work on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an experiential, attachment theory of therapy. EFT is a short term (8-20 sessions), structured approach to couples therapy formulated in the early 80's by Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg. EFT is also used with families. A substantial body of research outlining the effectiveness of EFT now exists. Research studies find that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements. The major contraindiction for EFT is on-going violence in the relationship.

In group therapy, I base my work on systems theories that focus on the present. The focus is on the whole, not the sum of the parts. Here, I rely on the theoretical work of Kurt Lewin, a Gestalt psychologist who did amazing work in the study of groups (social psychology) as well as Irvin Yalom who leads in existential group therapy. While looking at the past is sometimes key in individual therapy, it is secondary in group therapy. Current relating, here-and-now, is key in the process groups I offer.

NOTE: Everyone's biology is unique and can be a factor in behavioral symptoms. As such, you and I will work closely with your physician to ensure that you and I are not treating what is in fact a side effect of a medical condition that needs medical intervention. To begin therapy, you will need a complete physical to rule out any medical cause of presenting emotional symptoms. While our goal is to naturally balance your systems, medicines may be needed to help normalize biological systems so that psychotherapeutic interventions can be effective. Your physician will be an integral part of our work together. Click here for medical services.

Professional Memberships:

  • American Counseling Association - ACA
  • Christian Association for Psychological Studies - CAPS
  • Institute of General Semantics - IGS
  • International Society for Complementary Medicine Research - ISCMS
Reference Pages:
  • The Nature of Therapy
  • What to Expect in the Initial Session
  • Your Biology
  • A Brief Personal Profile

Scope of Practice

Counseling & Assessment

My counseling scope of practice includes:

  • the application of mental health, psychotherapeutic, and human development principles to facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span;
  • prevent, assess, evaluate, and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with mental health; and
  • conduct assessments and evaluations to establish treatment goals and objectives; and plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions.

My work focuses on women's issues and family issues. In addition I offer mindful counseling services to meet the unique needs in today's stressful and impersonal environments through meditative and contemplative practices.

Wellness Consulting

The scope of my consulting services centers around two domains: marketing and professional development. Specifically:

  • marketing consultation focusing on women's product and service design, creative campaign design, sales team execution of marketing strategies, brand identity and management, and
  • professional development consultation focusing on human resource development, employee wellness, staff stress inoculation / reduction, and executive wellness event planning.

Reference Pages:

Limits of Confidentiality

Counselor ethics and state law mandates confidentiality with the following limitations:

    • client is a danger to self / others,
    • client requests release of information,
    • court orders a release of information,
    • counselor is engaged in a systematic supervision process (which I am, see note below),
    • clerical assistants who process client information and papers,
    • legal and clinical consultation situations,
    • client initiates a malpractice lawsuit,
    • client is below 18 years of age, parents have rights to therapeutic information,
    • an elderly person is abused or neglected, and
    • an insurance company or managed care company requests a diagnosis and/or relevant clinical information.

Please note: As a counseling intern, all of my counseling is supervised. This means that your case will be discussed with my supervising LPC for review of services that I provide to you. All rules of confidentiality still apply to both the LPC supervisor and myself. Your right to confidentiality is further explained in the NEW CLIENT PACKET, INFORMED CONSENT section.

Faith-based Therapy

Clients who wish to bring spirituality into the therapeutic alliance will be encouraged to do so through acceptance, unconditional positive regard, and religious freedom without hindrance or manipulation. While my own spirituality is based on Judeo-Christian orthodoxy, I maintain a therapeutic commitment regardless of a client's spiritual choice.

I offer faith-based therapy to clients who wish to integrate Judeo-Christian principals into the therapeutic process. This therapy is based upon the same psychological theories listed above but are presented within a Biblical framework. In faith-based therapy, the client's relationship to G-d is a central issue.

The specific Biblical framework that I rely on is based on the work of Dr. Ian Jones, Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to Dr. Jones, I rely on the work of Dr. Henry Cloud in regards to Christian Wellness therapy and training.

Reference Pages:

Best Practices

The success of therapy is dependent upon the effective work of both therapist and client. Standards of effective therapy are defined by professional and state ethic codes. You can view the ethic codes that regulate my work here State of Texas - LPC Board:

The effective work of clients is based upon the following:

1. Commitment: The client's commitment to therapeutic work is of paramount importance. The client must actively participate in individual and/or group sessions as well as recommended out-of-session therapeutic homework.

2. Attendance: The client's regular attendance to sessions is required for effective therapeutic intervention.

3. Honesty: The client's ability to be honest with a therapist is directly related to therapeutic effectiveness. True feelings, thoughts and intent must be shared with the therapist for accurate assessment and treatment.

Reference Pages:

  • The Nature of Therapy
  • Therapeutic Homework