WHAT IS "COUNSELING?"

Counseling is simply you and I, meeting in a reasonably safe and comfortable space without interruption for a specified time with one goal in mind: to focus on the challenges you are facing. You will not come to take care of me. That's the beauty of it. I am a confidential advisor off the usual grid of social contacts, relatives, friends and co-workers. I am not easily shocked and am comfortable with much of life's shadow side. Counseling is a real relationship, too. A caring, very human relationship, with someone trained to listen deeply.

I hear clients say they're amazed I would choose to sit with them, on multiple occasions, and listen to their stories of (often times) pain and confusion, shame, regret and tears. Of course, just as often, our stories are about heroism, courage, inspiration and real joy. Truthfully, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The conversations had in the session room are among the deepest, most impassioned and authentic one can ever hope to have with another human being. This is exciting, fulfilling work—truly an honor—and my life is the richer for it.

My hope is that you will take a leap of blind faith and make the very courageous choice to have a few of these "course-corrective" conversations with me or someone else of your choosing. You can start anywhere and all of you is welcome: even if you don't feel particularly deserving right now (few of us do); even if you feel your challenges somehow pale in comparison with those of others.