Choosing to come to therapy is often a vulnerable step to take. We are usually at a place where our life isn't working the way it is, and we want to understand what needs to change. Often, the most surprising part of therapy is the really hard work of discovering your own goodness, which most of us want to believe at some level, but are rarely given the space (or take the space) to explore. This change from a place of kindness towards yourself is often a longer process. Rather than taking on a role as any kind of expert of your life, my role is far more about creating space where you feel safe enough to explore who you are, what's working and what isn't. Your beliefs, your sexuality, your relationships - they are all part of that, and therapy is the opportunity to explore the questions you have for yourself. Anxiety, depression, grief, even our styles of parenting and intimate relationships are wrapped up in those questions and how we look at them.
In my work with adults individually, your needs are a more determining factor in approach. Some adults would prefer to find a solution to a situation, and the my role becomes far more practical and solutions-focused with a short-term goal. For other adults, the work goes deeper, and together, we identify a longer path through. Sometimes this means backwards, into our families and past relationships to find a way through our current struggles.
In my work with families, I typically prefer to collaborate with child and parent, with a mix of play therapy (with children), talk therapy (teens), and then behavioral approaches and parent coaching to help families grow and find healing in the situations that bring them to therapy.
For all clients, there is a foundational belief that we were born with a drive for growth and healing. As we are often harmed in relationship, relationship is also the primary context to find healing. That relationship might be the therapeutic relationship, which can happen through our individual work together, or the relationship that you have with your family as I work with you and your kid/s to find a way to get unstuck. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions about my approach before making a decision about counseling.
Specialties:
Grief and loss, depression, relationship issues, struggles with hyperactivity and focus, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, behavioral concerns, lack of direction/discerning vocation and life changes, issues related to faith/spirituality, LGBT+ friendly
Client Focus:
Children, Adolescents, Families, College Students, Adults
Degree/s:
MA in Counseling Psychology, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
BS in Biblical Studies, Cairn University
Additional Credentials:
Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor, Texas, #71786
EMDR-Trained
Email Address:
jeremy@oakwoodcounseling.com
