Our Relationship

Although most counselors you’ll likely find in Durango – or  anywhere around the country – have  similar intentions and traits, just about every therapist is unique in his or her own way.  Although I do not believe that any one counselor is better than all others, I do believe – and research proves – the quality of the client-therapist relationship lies at the core of successful therapy.  Your progress in therapy rests with yourself, your therapist and most importantly how we relate to each other.

So, what does that mean?  You want to find a therapist who understands you and you believe will help you move forward.  You want someone who listens without a personal agenda.  You want someone who asks difficult questions.  Basically, you want a counselor you can trust.  For it is within this relationship – not just the training or scholarly degrees – that you will find the solutions you seek and help shifting the perceptions and attitudes that cause pain.

Area of Expertise

As  you might guess from my thoughts above, I do not believe that any one specific training is required for successful counseling.  I do believe, though, that a therapist’s level of comfort and expertise in dealing with certain issues does facilitate success.

Most common areas for therapy fall within my expertise, and I am trained to work with both individuals and couples.   My areas of experience include personal growth, sadness, relationships, stress, self-esteem, life-transitions, anxiety, depression, grief, divorce and spiritual emergence.

I do have limits and will refer you to a colleague if your issues are beyond my skillset.  Just give me a call if you’re not sure.  If I’m not a good fit, from my experience as a therapist and my knowledge of local practitionars I refer you to someone else who can help.

My Approach: IFS - Internal Family Systems Therapy

After the first couple of sessions of getting to know you and understanding your challenges and goals, we’ll likely begin our work using the Internal Family System.  IFS, also called Parts Work, is a form of psychotherapy that is compassionate, inclusive, powerfully healing, and deeply respectful of your inner life.  Despite the name, it is primarily a form of individual therapy.

IFS recognizes that our psyches are made up of different parts, sometimes called sub-personalities.  You can think of them as little people inside us.  Each part has its own perspective, feelings, memories, goals, and motivations.  For example, one part of you might be trying to lose weight and another part might want to eat whatever you want.  When you can recognize these various internal parts and facilitate their communication, internal conflict and struggle inevitably releases.

According to IFS, we all have five to fifteen parts like the inner critic, abandoned child, pleaser, or loving caretaker.  IFS also recognizes that we each have a personal/spiritual center, the Self, which is compassionate, understanding, and wise.  Through IFS you can learn to reconnect with Self, develop a relationship with each of your parts, and help heal them.  This is quite empowering because the healing comes from within you.

IFS is effective for a wide range of psychological issues and personal growth goals.  It provides a new, powerful way of transforming difficult psychological issues - from depression and anxiety to low self esteem and relationship issues.

This could sound theoretical or a tad abstract.  We’ll talk about it more as I come to understand your challenges and goals.  When you're ready you’ll get a chance to experience it.  If the IFS approach doesn’t feel appropriate, no problem.  I’m just as comfortable in the traditional counselor role.  Across the board, though, my clients find this form of solving inner issues to be compassionate, enriching, insightful and powerful.  I'm confident IFS will help you find relief and a new way forward.