Services

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The current model for mental health is almost always based on the physical illness model of symptoms and pathology (the physical manifestation of a disease). Despite decades of searching, no pathology has been found to exist for the so-called mental illnesses listed in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) with which people are labeled and upon which American insurance companies base their decision to reimburse. 

This "disorder" diagnosis  becomes a permanent part of your medical record and can be misunderstood and misconstrued by those who are unfamiliar with your history. Insurance companies also impose restrictions on the number of visits and the type of therapy they will pay for.
 

I believe it is counter-productive to label personal difficulties or challenging behaviors as disorders, so I chose not to be a part of that US medical/insurance model. I primarily work from the perspective of Choice Theory, a relationship-based explanation of human behavior formulated by psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser. It states that all our behavior is purposeful, and is our best attempt, given the knowledge and tools we have at the time, to meet our needs. What we label as disorders are actually creative coping mechanisms for dealing with overwhelming situations - both past and present - that we don't know how to deal with in any other way; and we all have the ability to learn how to manage things differently. 

The "biochemical imbalance" theory of mental illness has no basis in fact, and has now been disavowed by many of the psychiatrists who first promoted it. For more information on this topic please visit www.madinamerica.com. 

A Masters Degree in Holistic Counseling prepares professionals to facilitate healing, growth and evolutionary change in individuals and groups. The education and training required to obtain an MA in Holistic Counseling is consistent with that necessary for licensure in the State of Rhode Island. Holistic Counselors may choose not to work within that system and are covered under the Unlicensed Health Care Practitioners section of the Rhode Island Health and Safety Act of 2002 and may not provide a medical diagnosis. Should you desire a diagnosis you may seek such services elsewhere at any time.

One of the main reasons people give for not coming to counseling is cost., but I don't want that to be your reason to avoid getting help.  
 

My regular rate is $90 / £50 per hour for individual counseling, with a sliding scale for those with financial difficulties. I trust you to pay the full fee if you are able, but if you are experiencing hardship, please let me know without feeling self-conscious and we will work together to make sure you get the support you need. 

I can no longer accept cash or checks but take all major credit and debit cards, PayPal and Venmo, as well as most US Health Savings Accounts. 

Children's Grief

I offer trainings and presentations to help anyone who works with children and adolescents recognize and address issues of grief and loss arising from the death or loss of a close family member or friend. Teachers, Guidance Counselors, and other professionals often have little or no training in how to deal with children recovering from a death or other major loss. Children respond to death and loss very differently than adults and their pain and distress often goes unrecognized.

Interpersonal Communication Skills for Physicians and other Healthcare Practitioners 

The relationship between a healthcare provider and their patient/client is the single most important contributing factor in treatment outcomes. Traditionally referred to as 'bedside manner' the skills required to create and maintain a relationship are not something everyone instinctively possesses, but everyone can learn and develop. I offer guidance in identifying problems with, and improving, interpersonal communications skills for all healthcare professionals in order to positively impact their practice.

 Please contact me for more information