ASPENTREE COUNSELING & HYPNOTHE

SERVICES
I meet with individuals, families, and run groups. As a fundamentally client-centered therapist, I believe in an inherent tendency and ability for people to grow and learn about themselves and the world around them. A client is encouraged to boldly explore their own thoughts and emotions in a safe, warm and collaborative therapeutic environment and find new solutions, skills, insight and awareness around life's challenges, both within the person and the persons life experience. I meet the client where they are at, conforming my therapeutic approach to your presenting needs, and encouraging the client to be as active in his/her own therapeutic process as possible. I may be active in my intervention as deemed useful by both the client and presenting concerns, including giving suggestions, interpretations, challenging, facilitating self-empowering therapeutic hypnosis, and occasionally suggesting homework. I generally work with folks who complain of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, stress management, anger management, interpersonal conflict, parenting challenges, spiritual challenges, frustration tolerance, and some health challenges to include nicotine addiction.

COUNSELING PHILOSOPHIES

My philosophy and approach is Person-Centered and Solution Focused. The client has an inherent ability to grow and be empowered, and holds the information needed for psychological health within themselves. Families are viewed as a whole system, and individual family members as parts of that system. I also recognize the value in meeting basic human needs for psychological health. I am influenced by Neo-Rogerian, solution-focused, cognitive, dialectic, family systems, gestalt, and psychodynamic therapeutic interventions. Nature is comprised of diversity, and is interconnected, a whole system. Being products of nature, it seems logical that our inner world is thus comprised. Body, mind, spirit, environment, and social patterns are all collaborated on with the client to explore therapeutic outcomes. A whole system is well equipped to be self sufficient, thus my positive client-centered approach. The client and the family in crisis has the tools and, once facilitated, ability to heal, grow, and enjoy self-empowerment.

EXPERIENCE

I began my career working with troubled and disenfranchised youth of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NY, in 1988. Duties included engaging kids in athletics, facilitating spiritual support, and connecting to social services as needed. I also have worked as a spiritual counselor in retreat work, and in nursing homes throughout NY State. Throughout the years I have worked in various capacities, providing both spiritual and practical support for families, children, and homeless populations. I have worked with individuals in crisis as a counselor in a crisis respite clinic serving populations who need help with behavioral and addiction challenges, and connecting to social services as needed. I have also worked in community mental health, providing individual and group counseling services, and intensive community support. As an accredited certified hypnotherapist, I have worked with individuals both in crisis and those who simply wish to improve their lives; including grief therapy, gestalt therapy, parts therapy, smoking cessation, weight management, self-empowerment/ motivation, anger management, Post Traumatic Stress, and relaxation/ frustration tolerance. My work with Family Preservation and Reconciliation interventions demonstrates a history of success in meeting client needs and resolving initial presenting crisis, improving communication, increasing parenting skills, and assisting families by providing psychoeducation and access to relevant resources.

IN-OFFICE OR HOUSECALLS

Appointments can be scheduled for either in-office or in-home therapy. In-home appointments outside of Kitsap County are subject to an additional .50/mile and 10.00/Hr travel time outside of county limits.

CONFIDENTIALITY
The therapeutic session is sacred space for safe and creative work to be done. What occurs in session stays in session, completely confidential. I am required by law, however, to break confidentiality under the following circumstances; harm to self, harm to others, child abuse, and elder abuse. I run an ethical practice, which means that my work is reviewed under licensed supervision and consultation to ensure the most beneficial and ethical treatment for my clients. Confidentiality of client identity is maintained in treatment consultations.

Cancellation of Appointments

Please understand that when you make an appointment, I am reserving that time for you. If you miss an appointment, that is time that could be spent with another client, please notify me 24 hours prior to your appointment if you need to reschedule Or if you are ill or in an emergency. If an appointment is missed without 24hr notification, ACH reserves the right to bill for one hour of session time.

Counselors practicing counseling for a fee must be registered or certified with the Department of Health for the protection of public health and safety. Registration of an individual with the Department does not include recognition of any practice standards nor necessarily implies the effectiveness of any treatment.@ WAC 246-810-030 and 246-810-031. The Counselor Credentialing Act is to provide protection for public health and safety and to empower the citizens of the state of Washington by providing a complaint process against those counselors who commit acts of unprofessional conduct. Therapists have a responsibility towards their clients to maintain professional conduct and boundaries. If you feel you have been treated in an unprofessional manner you have the right to report this information to the authorities, Contact the department of health to obtain more information regarding these laws at www.DOH.wa.gov or DOH consumer Hotline (800) 525-0127

scales PRIVACY POLICY/LEGAL INFO book