I received my
Masters in Social Work from Michigan State University in 1971* and have
been a psychotherapist ever since. My main salaried work experience was
with one of the best community mental health programs in the country, the
Mason Mental Health Center,
Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Community Mental Health Board headquartered in
Lansing, Michigan. I have always had a private practice along with my
salaried job.
In addition
to practicing psychotherapy, I was the supervisor of two rural mental
health centers, a clinical supervisor, and a field instructor helping to
train clinical social workers from both Michigan State University and the
University of Michigan. I've presented workshops at several state and two
national conferences on a variety of clinical topics.
I am in general
adult practice
where I work with patients who are businessmen and women, construction and
trade workers, housewives, college students,
techies in the electronics and computer industry and executives. I also have
had considerable experience
working with with police officers and correction officers in both
individual and couple's therapy.
My office is very private.
It
is at home
with its own waiting room and entrance, overlooking the cranberry bogs
which, until this summer when they were sold, were owned by my wife and her family.
I work with
people with anxiety, depression and relationship problems, with people who
are compulsive, irritable, and those who suffer from self-doubt. I also
work with people who are struggling with more existential questions such
as who they are and what their life is all about.
I believe
therapy should be a partnership between you and I, that the basis for good
therapy is trust, and that it is my responsibility for seeing to it that
you aren't spinning you wheels fruitlessly while I sit back and wait for
you "to get it on your own," while I have a pretty good idea where you
have to go to resolve your problems.
I don't have
any particular "brand" of psychotherapy that I practice, especially since
the type of therapy I provide depends on your needs and desires. Generally
for symptom reduction, therapy that gives you support and encouragement,
and helps you better understand self-defeating behaviors and change them,
is the most effective.
My
understanding of personality dynamics comes from being trained in
psychodynamic and psychoanalytically oriented therapy in the masters
program at Michigan State University in the early 1970's. While I do not
have post-graduate training in this area (I am not a psychoanalyst), I
have considerable experience in providing therapy that is aimed at helping
you gain insight into yourself and how your family of origin influenced
who you are.
I also blend
what is known as cognitive-behavior therapy into my approach as needed.
Basically this helps you to recognize and change your self-defeating
thoughts and behaviors.
I have
discovered over many years that it's the personality of the therapist,
their ability to listen, and
the connection he or she makes with the client that dictates success or
failure in therapy. I tend to be suspicious of any of the "therapy of the month"
flavors of treatment often touted in best selling books and by their
authors on talk shows.
You may not
always like what I have to say, but I will tell you what I think if I
believe it will be helpful.