People come to counseling or see a therapist for many reasons. We all have had the feeling: our life is fine, just fine. We're functioning. But in those quiet moments, we know something is missing. We're not happy. We feel disconnected from ourselves and others. We seem to be smiling on the outside and putting up a good front but inside we feel doubt, pain, and sometimes hopeless.
People who come to counseling struggle with many things:

• They feel depression or sadness a lot of the time
• There is not much joy in their life, even when things seem okay
• A recent loss, of a loved one, job, financial status, or relationship has left them grieving for what once was
• They have suffered from low self esteem most of their life and always seem
• "less than" everyone else
• Anxiety and fear keep them from doing things they think they may enjoy
  Panic attacks have left them paralyzed
• Past losses and grief leave them feeling stuck and unable to forgive or move on
• Feelings of anger and irritability are present most days
• Stress seems to drain them of pleasure and happiness
• Hopelessness and exhaustion are part of their everyday experience
• Or they are just sick of feeling sick and tired and want it to stop!

Marriage Counseling and Couples Counseling

Couples coming to counseling for a relationship problem may have the same or different issues:

• Their relationship leaves one or both wanting more intimacy
• They are fighting more than they are at peace with each other
• Children and parenting issues leave them no time for each other
• Romance and sex seem a thing of the past
• An affair has left their marital relationship in shambles and they don't know if it can be repaired
• In-laws and other family relationships are causing problems in your marriage
• Financial issues and other stressors have them behaving more like adversaries than partners
• One or both partners realize that they can't change the other to be more like they wanted or thought
• Blending families has been problematic
• Step-family issues are causing guilt and strain
• Disappointment has left them feeling more like roommates than lovers
• Anger and frustration at each other increases distance in their relationship
• Or they don't know whether their marriage or relationship can be saved

The one thing all these issues have in common is that we often forget that we have the power to make choices and create change. Change can come quickly when you take a step towards yourself and a happier life, a step towards getting help. I'd like to offer you that help.

I hope this website will give you a sense of who I am and give you the confidence to come meet with me. My clients are people just like you. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and value systems. Many who come to me never thought they would ever seek counseling or psychotherapy. Most have been pleasantly surprised that it is not as scary as they think or as intense as it appears in television and film.

I encourage you to give me a call or send me an e-mail. Together we can figure out your next steps.