Personal Statement - Sponsor
I have specialized in working with couples, addiction recovery and sex therapy for over 35 years. I use both an abstinence and harm reduction model for alcohol/drug use both with and without utilizing AA. My goal with addicts is to get to the underlying emotional distress that is fueling the addiction. I especially enjoy working with couples and families struggling with breaking out of the addiction cycle. I believe that addiction is a family disease.
My work with couples is directive and interactive as we strive to improve the emotional communication and strengthen the connection in the couple. Couples leave therapy with an effective way to have a better conversation with each other than the conversations they were engaged in before entering couples therapy.
I also provide Discernment Counseling when one person wants the relationship/marriage and the other partner does not. This is a structured process designed to help couples make an informed choice whether to 1) leave things as they are for now; 2) move respectfully toward separation/divorce; or 3) commit to 6 months of intensive couples therapy to determine if there is enough good will between them to salvage their relationship.
An additional service I provide for couples is a 2-day couples intensive. This can facilitate deeper work on issues and possibly shorten time spent in therapy and promote more lasting change for a couple.
I also offer sex therapy for couples, individuals, the LGBT community and for people interested in polyamory and BDSM.
I have many years of experience teaching and supervising students, Interns and licensed professionals in the above areas.
