Family & Marriage Therapy
I have a passion to help families get along better and solve their problems. I specialize in family and marriage therapy. Every family has challenges but if we figure out what they are and talk them out we can improve how we feel about each other. Sometimes what we think is the problem is only the symptom of a bigger problem. I have found it to be amazing what can happen when the whole family comes to counseling and talks to each other with the help of a counselor.
I have a desire to strengthen marriages by helping couples discover what the weaknesses and strengths of their marriages are. Sometimes without realizing it couples emphasize their weaknesses while ignoring their strengths. I help them see what they have so they appreciate it more while helping them learn how to deal with those weaknesses more effectively.
My greatest satisfaction is seeing families and marriages grow stronger. Anyone can change for the better once he or she makes a determination to work on the problem. I encourage anyone who wants to improve the quality of their family life to invest the time and effort in counseling. What we learn about each other and ourselves is so important in helping us change. When a family learns to love and appreciate each other more they will have made positive changes.
 
Change
C. S. Lewis described change in a unique way. It is like an unborn chick inside the egg. The chick is comfortable and unchallenged. The egg contains some nutrients for its sustenance, but they will soon be depleted. The chick must choose whether to stay in the egg and die or adventure out and live. The shell must be cracked from the inside and in so doing; it enters an entirely new world. This world, though new to the chick, is the world for which it is made. The choice to live or die is up to the chick. In the same way we must each decide what is important to us. Change is the vehicle by which we move closer to our goal. If moving toward maturity is your goal then change will be necessary even though it will not be easy.

Benefits of Counseling
Counseling can be a time-consuming endeavor, so it's important to talk about some of the possible benefits. Counseling offers you the opportunity to make some important changes. The success of those changes depends on a variety of factors including the nature of your problems, your effort and participation in the process, and the length of your counseling. Some benefits typically include symptom relief or resolution of conflicts, a greater understanding of one's self, a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life, increased self-worth, and an increased awareness of one's choices and freedoms. Sometimes people are to surprise to learn they are making decisions from a short-term view of life. When they learn to make decisions with a long-term view in mind they make much better decisions. In each counseling session my aim will be to help you develop the needed skills to accomplish your goals. Counseling is hard work but the rewards are worth it.

Theoretical Orientation
My approach in counseling is called Existential/Cognitive/Behavioral. I focus on the purpose and meaning in life and relationships. Secondly, I concentrate on how we think. Our thoughts are powerful motivators. Understanding how we think and how we process information is helpful in understanding how that impacts our behavior. Thirdly I help the person design a specific strategy to implement appropriate behavior.

Qualifications
I have been counseling families for many years. I have a Master's degree in counseling from Missouri Baptist University, in
St. Louis. I am a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri.

Appointments and Fees
Please call our office to schedule an appointment time. Please call 12 hours prior to your appointment if you need to change or cancel your appointment. There is no charge for counseling services, but there is a one-time setup-fee of $25.00 per person. Office: 636-296-0400