I get clean and sober on September 25th, 1988 and began dealing with my severe depression and anxiety.  I was diagnosed and treated intensely for severe PTSD from childhood sexual abuse.   After five incredible years of Mental Health and Twelve Step recovery, I left the oil and gas industry and began studying for a degree in psychology followed by a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Since 1997 I have been a Family Therapist primarily serving as a Clinical Team... Read More

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So here's the deal. I'm a mental health professional, schooled in the traditional mental health counseling method. I've been doing this for about 8 years now, and in my estimation, the traditional way doesn't work for everyone.

Some in my field would disagree, and say that we need to continue to work this way. My gut tells me that there have to be more and better ways to help people improve and get better.

So my question to you is this: If you could change something about menta... Read More

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Whenever you’re combing through 200+ pages of legal jargon, it tends to get a little tedious.

Anyway, I’m here to talk about really serious business. Mainly the HR3200B, which in case you didn’t know, is a bill being proposed in the House of Representatives to reform health care, and namely health insurance, as we know it. It sounds like its providing a “public option” for healthcare, which would allow people to buy a federal form of health insurance to cover themselves.

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So over the course of the last couple of weeks, I’ve started to wonder about the reasons why people come into counseling with me. I mean let’s face it; you go to counseling for a number of reasons: You want to change something, you want someone to listen to your problems, your wife is ready to kick you out of the house…you know, the usual reasons. And I’m OK with all of those reasons, really. These reasons usually come down to one of two roles: The Wizard or the Listener.

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So a long time ago, before HD TV, Bob Newhart played a therapist on Mad TV with a new spin on therapy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1g3ENYxg9k

The reason why this is funny is because people usually come to a therapist to figure out HOW to STOP IT. If people knew how to stop it, why would they come to Therapy anyway? At the same time, I look at this as sort of the obvious answer to dealing with what we can't control. If som... Read More

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