As a practitioner of Solution Focused Therapy, I aim to help clients clarify stated problems and then work to find, and in some cases create, practical effective solutions. The process engages the client’s rational and imaginative resources and can be both challenging and enjoyable. Coupled with my knowledge, experience, skills and input, the client’s own capacities and willingness for change and growth brings about solutions to problems through hitherto unknown alternatives, perspectives, ideas, insights, strategies or techniques, which when applied can rather rapidly diminish or completely remove the identified problem. Solution Focused Therapy can be applied to just about any problem including emotional-behavioral issues such as depression, anxiety, anger, jealousy, traumatic stress, fear, attention-deficit, procrastination, substance abuse and conduct disorder as well as physical, financial, relationship and work related problems. Any problem has a solution. It’s just a matter of discovering it – or creating it.

I have provided mental and behavioral health counseling to individuals, couples, families, and groups for over 25 years dealing with such issues as depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, anger, traumatic stress, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, obsessions and compulsions, relationship and communication and Autism Spectrum and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, to name a few . During this time, I have also taught public and private classes on various self-improvement topics including:

• self-image psychology

• goal setting

• visualization

• motivation

• communication and negotiation

• parenting and coaching

• stress and anger management

• meditation and relaxation

I have served as an employee assistance counselor, the director of a crisis intervention program, a clinical supervisor and an administrator in a human service agency. My friends, colleagues and several clients have often commented that I have an oddly slanted and somewhat "out of the box" way of looking at things. This can work to great advantage to clients who may benefit by viewing things from a new angle. I am a caring, skilled and thoughtful listener. I view each client with respect and positive regard hoping only to provide meaningful support, insight, feedback and solutions.

My credentials include:

• Bachelor of Science, English Education, Teaching Certificate (Oregon State University, 1973)
• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon, 1981)

• Nationally Certified Counselor (National Board of Certified Counselors, # 85519)

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (State of Hawaii, # 22)

I have had training in:

• Client Centered Therapy

• Rational EmotiveTherapy

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy

• Family Systems Therapy

• Structural Family Therapy

• Hypnosis and Neurolinquistic Programming

• Crisis Intervention

• Critical Incident Stress Management

• Multicultural Sensitivity

• and various Behavior Modification methodologies, all of which are incorporated into my eclectic approach to Solution Focused Therapy

I am currently a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors, The American Counseling Association, The Hawaii Counselor's Association and The International Society for Mental Health Online.

If you are seeking private, confidential solution oriented therapy, I invite you to contact me.