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Forest

Counseling Approach

I have heard the counseling relationship described as a journey through the woods - the counselor may hold a light and shine it down a path or two, but it is the client who decides where we go. Hence the name PathLight. 

 

As a mental health counselor,  I respect that each client is the expert in their own lives. While I have some tools that will help us along the way, I believe fully in the potential for each client to experience healing & a sense of wholeness, regardless of what brought them to counseling.  

With this in mind, my approach is compassionate, collaborative, and client-focused. Together we will explore the past, learn to embrace the present, and prepare for the future while keeping in mind your specific needs, concerns, and goals. 

 

I see adult clients (age 18+)  experiencing concerns related to a variety of issues, including, but not limited to: 

  • Sexual & Gender Identity

  • Life Transitions

  • Grief & Loss

  • Spiritual & Religious Concerns

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Trauma

  • Work/Life Balance

  • Identity Development

  • Vocational Discernment

  • Occupational Burnout

Specific populations and areas of interest include: 

  • LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced pain, abuse, or rejection from a religious or spiritual community

  • Individuals experiencing conflicted, challenged, or changing belief systems

  • College Students/Emerging Adults

  • Healthcare Workers 

  • Spiritual and Religious Leaders 

For clients who wish to incorporate their religious and/or spiritual beliefs and practices into the counseling process, I offer spiritually-integrated counseling, and honor all beliefs and traditions. 

 

Theory

I draw on a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities, including Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Solution-Focused, Internal Family Systems, and Narrative theories of counseling. Some interventions focus on feelings, some on thoughts, and others on behaviors. Some involve exploring the past, while others are focused on greater awareness of the present. The approach selected will be based on what research indicates works best for the client's situation, while taking into account the client's specific needs and circumstances. 

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