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I have experience with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.  Our sessions may take place in person at my office or electronically, remotely using Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype.  My counseling style draws from a variety of influences.  Foremost among them are the following:

 

  • Behavioral psychology, with its practical principles to explain and modify behavior;

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy with its rubric for understanding the interplay among 

thoughts (inner speech and imagery), feelings (emotional forces), and actions 

(behavioral choices);

  • Nondirective, Rogerian counseling, which is useful for communicating empathy,

establishing rapport, and trusting the client to help him/herself.

  • Humanistic existential philosophy and counseling, a down-to-earth perspective in

which to couch personal challenges;

  • Crisis intervention strategies, including suicide prevention;

  • Vocational/career guidance, a developmentally pressing need for many college

students and adults;

  • Psychometrics---using tests for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purposes;

  • Stress management methods, which I’ve taught for decades;

  • Time-effective therapy, a means of focusing one’s counseling to maximize

efficiency and efficacy;

  • Play and game therapy, mainly with children but sometimes with older clients to

provide a platform for communication and perspective;

  • Wellness and holistic health---the integration of physical, mental, and spiritual factors to account for difficulties and address them;

  • EQ=Emotional Quotient---empathy and social skills training;

  • Mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery, and related means of anxiety management and self-fulfillment;

  • Mediation to address and resolve interpersonal conflicts;

  • Aikido, or “way of life through harmony with nature” is not just a martial art; aikido offers principles and methods of grounding with reality and enhancing self-control. 

 

I value adaptability.  I strive to harmonize with a client’s individual attributes, emotions, circumstances, and challenges in order to tailor my approach to the problem(s) at hand.  Therapy and communication are often best multi-modal.  I have received considerable training and experience over the years; among other things, I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider.  

 

Payment: Counseling sessions are billed at rates set by health insurance policies (i.e., what they pay clinical psychologists for each claim).  Fees for co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles often vary among insurance companies and policies; those amounts are due for payment as patient responsibility.  To determine if this is the case, please examine your coverage carefully and call your company representative if clarification is required.  Questions that may be helpful include:

1) Does my plan cover mental health care?

2) How many counseling sessions are covered?

3) What amount is paid for each session?  What deductible and co-pay amounts might I owe?  

4) Is preapproval or referral from a primary care physician required?

5) What procedure and address are needed for submission of claims?

 

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The following outline contains some ideas that may be helpful to you in the immediate future and beyond. 

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First Aid for Stress  (Copyright 2016, James Wallace, Ph.D.)

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Uptight? Tense? Frustrated? Agitated? Angry? Anxious? Upset?  Here's what might help:

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  • Breathe (attend to flow of breath; take deep breaths; sigh)

  • Let go of muscular tension (body scan = interoception)

  • Relax (hands, jaw, face, shoulders, stomach)

  • Talk to person (explain; share feelings; negotiate; compromise)

  • Talk to self ("This is lousy but I'll be OK"; "This will pass"; "No big deal"; "I can cope")

  • Pause (to think, plan, react appropriately)

  • Walk (away from situation; to another room; outdoors)​

  • Distract yourself (with activity, object, or movement)

  • Smile (see humor or triviality in situation)

  • Empathize (see and say other's perspective; reflect emotions)

  • Work (do a task; engage body and mind)

  • Play (game, sport, or hobby)

  • Interact (with family member, friend, or pet)

  • Draw (sketch; scribble; doodle; paint; sculpt)

  • Write (words, ideas, lists, plans; journal or diary)

  • Squeeze stress ball (or stretch or shrug shoulders)

  • Meditate (close eyes; enjoy breathing; visualize peaceful, restful setting)

  • We are free to choose; we are not free from the consequences of our choices.

  • If Plan A does not work, stay cool; there are 25 other letters.

  • We cannot direct the wind; but we can adjust the sails.

  • C = Control the situation (if you can; solve problem or adapt to circumstances)

  • O = Open up to others (vent feelings; discuss the situation; accept help)

  • P = Pace yourself (don't rush; be thoughtful and proceed patiently)

  • E = Exercise (move, stretch, walk, run, swim, bike)

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