ART THERAPY

Are you feeling stuck? Art Therapy is an amazing way to getting ‘unstuck.’ My background is in commercial and fine art, so Art Therapy comes naturally! This approach provides a fun way to explore why you are stuck and how to begin growing again. Art Therapy is not just for children, but also for adolescents, adults, couples and families.

You do not need to know how to draw in order to become ‘Unstuck’ and have fun in the process!

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DREAM ANALYSIS 

Dreams are another excellent way to explore what is a happening on a subconscious level. Your dreams are trying to tell you something important. They are trying to get your attention. Gestalt Therapy and color theory can interpret the meaning of your dreams. You will have a better idea of hidden conflicts and areas of concern. Plus inspiration!

Gestalt Therapy is both Existential and Humanistic. Emphasis is on becoming whole: acceptance of what is, and what can be; who you are, and who you choose to become. You may not know it, but you could be overcoming the obstacles in your dream. Which means, you believe you can.

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COPING WITH STRESS

Good Coping: Your self-esteem goes up, and the problem lessens or goes away. 

It is not immediate though. 

And this approach takes mindfulness and learning/utilizing new coping strategies which are healthy and supportive of personal growth.

Poor Coping: Your self-esteem plummets, the problems stays the same or gets worse.

But the relief from alcohol, drugs, etc., is immediate. And it can become the 'go-to' coping mechanism. Because it is immediate! Although it does nothing to help in the long run.

It actually makes things worse in the long run.

Poor coping can manifest itself in all sorts of behavior: having affairs, hiding in a dark room, sleeping all the time, raging, control issues, blaming others, over eating, not eating, not paying bills, refusing to get medical help, etc.

Key: If it makes you feel worse in the long run and the problem does not go away = Poor Coping

 

If you are NOT in the Solution, you are IN the Problem.

Once into the Solution, you move out of the problem!

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ADDICTIONS

I utilize Aaron Beck’s Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, but I also use Logo Therapy as well. Logo Therapy is an Existential approach developed by Viktor Frankl who was a Jewish psychiatrist. He wrote his book, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ after having endured years in Nazi concentration camps. Frankl states, “People who have no meaning in their lives, do meaningless things.” They resort to power, control and violence. Or they seek happiness with alcohol, drugs, money, gambling, etc. to find this ‘missing’ meaning. But these are only substitutes for meaning. They actually prevent true meaning from taking place. Meaning is an inside job.

I have found that 12-step based programs support this original concern–to find and maintain meaning in our life. Paradoxically, often we find meaning, because we have suffered. This suffering is the phoenix coming out of the ashes.

Exploring childhood issues of loss and suffering are often linked to addictive disorders. Sometimes one must go back in order to go forward with a renewed sense of freedom and purpose.

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STAGES OF LIFE

I use Logo Therapy (see above) which is the inherent need for to find and maintain meaning in our lives. The central theme in Logo Therapy is finding meaning!

Life is Change. In childhood we may struggle with peer pressure, bullying and parental divorce. In adolescence the main concern is “Who am I? Where am I going? What is my purpose here? Will anyone ever really understand me? Will I ever be loved?”

Adulthood  brings new challenges such as launching, college, career, marriage, grief and loss, divorce, medical issues, retirement, loss of function, and aging.