Improve Counseling LLC

DBT group therapy arms you with an arsenal of tools that improve emotional intelligence and assists you in dealing effectively with previously challenging situations. DBT skills improve emotional resiliency and seek to eliminate self-defeating behaviors.

Dialectical-Behavior Therapy is one of the most empirically researched therapy modalities for treating people who suffer from significant emotional dysregulation and prolonged relationship difficulties. First conceived in the 1980s, DBT was systematically designed to help people build concrete, practical skills for mindful self-awareness, emotional development, stress management, and the cultivation of a baseline of well-being.

Groups are highly structured and psychoeducational, and are held in 8 week modules.

Couple and partner clients typically come to me when facing:
Frequent fighting or conflict; loss of closeness or passion; recovery from: addiction, trauma (physical or emotional), major physical and/or mental illness; reconciling after infidelity; negotiating relationship boundaries when exploring beyond monogamy; blending families and co-parenting challenges after divorce; friction from ongoing career stress, especially in dangerous, high-stress careers such as: fire, police, EMT, nursing, physician, military

Model and Approach
The primary model I employ for couples and partners is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). This evidence-based model helps get to the bottom of underlying issues which create friction in relationships, so that conflicts can be addressed at their source, rather than going around and around in endless, unresolved cycles.

Family clients often come to me when facing:
Frequent fighting or conflict; loss of closeness; behavior challenges in and out of school; recovery from: addiction, trauma (physical or emotional), major physical and/or mental illness; blending families and co-parenting challenges after divorce.

The primary model I employ for families is Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), within an overall Family Systems Theory framework. These evidence-based models helps get to the bottom of underlying issues which create friction in relationships, so that conflicts can be addressed at their source, rather than going around and around in endless, unresolved cycles.

Individuals experiencing the following trauma symptoms seek me out for help:
Depression; anxiety; panic attacks; mood swings; PTSD symptoms of all kinds, including those listed and: nightmares, flashbacks, sweats, jittery feelings, anger and irritation, spaciness, numbness, listlessness, etc.

Models and Approach
In working with trauma survivors, I start by creating safety and a solid working relationship, then teach skills to calm and balance the nervous system. From there, we work on strengthening personal boundaries. Many people find great relief and satisfaction working up to this stage and no further. However, if desired, we can also dive deep and resolve old wounds if they continue to create symptoms which are difficult to manage or trouble you in some other way.

I primarily employ Trauma Dynamics (TD) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a special focus on mindfulness practices. I also blend perspectives and techniques from Attachment Theory, Family Systems Theory, Feminist Theory, Narrative Therapy, Experiential Therapy in general and Gestalt Therapy in particular