Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling near Bend, OR

Biography: I am currently licensed in Iowa and Nebraska with over 26 years of professional work experience. The bulk of my career has been in community-based settings as I felt this type of setting was where I could give back to those that have helped me and my family of origin. I had a mother that was bi-polar and had a significant borderline personality disorder. Her first major hospitalization occurred following my birth. I have grown up in the Midwest but have lived in California and South Carolina as well as serving in the US military with one deployment to Afghanistan in which I served as the highest-ranking enlisted member of the Human Intelligence component of a Brigade Combat Team. I have a grown gay son and feel that my own healing process in coming to terms with my feelings toward my mentally ill mother were greatly facilitated by friendships in the queer community and feel a great depth of gratitude and respect for this community. I have been divorced, struggled with my own addiction, co-dependency and mental health issues throughout my lifetime and have carried various mental health diagnoses at different times in my life as well. I don't look at myself as complete expert on life but to quote Brene' Brown: "I might just be a little further down the road in recovery is all". I view therapy as more of an art form in that there are skills and techniques that can be learned and applied to the work of art that is being created, but it is the process involved that brings out the beauty of the final product. I understand the importance of being heard and feel that a person's truth can emerge through a collective experience in the interaction and engagement with another human being. I hope to bring my experience in life and working with others to your life experience. I view it as a privilege to be able to be a part of the understanding of another person's life and hope to be part of this journey with you.

Biography: Are you ready to experience more joy and happiness in your life? Are you ready to reach your goals and live a more fulfilling life? Are you ready to have more energy and a healthy mindset? Do you feel stuck in an endless cycle of stress, anxiety, and depression? Is your self-esteem low or non-existent? Are you having problems in your relationships? Change is hard, but I believe that every person has the potential to be the best version of him or herself that he or she can be, and that you are the expert of your life. I can help you become empowered to make the changes you want for your life. As a therapist, I offer an honest, respectful, non-judgmental environment to empower clients to achieve short and long term goals. In this compassionate safe relationship I will support you in finding and creating meaning and purpose in your life. My counseling style is direct and interactive. We will do this by examining old beliefs and habits that have been holding you back. The compassionate relationship that is forged in therapy can bring about the insight, clarity and love needed to begin to grow and regain hope for your future. My experience is in private practice, residential treatment centers and inpatient psychiatry for over a decade. The patient population that I have the most expertise in are Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar I and II, Borderline Personality, and other Personality Disorders. My mission is to help others find peace, joy and love in their lives. I bring with me over a decade of experience providing individual and group counseling for all ages. My integrated approach is tailored to the individual using methods in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution-focused therapy techniques.

Biography: I am licensed in Washington with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.