Therapy that works
Whether you are looking for support with your child's behavior, therapy for trauma, anxiety treatment, or couples counseling, Chris uses strategies that have been demonstrated through research to be effective. He has extensive experience providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families in each of the four areas listed above. He has worked with families from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
With a PhD in Family Science and Couple and Family Therapy, Chris is trained to provide evidence-based therapy for individual mental illness as well as family and relationship concerns. He has advanced training in strategies for couples and marriage counseling, trauma and PTSD treatment, and parenting children with difficult behaviors. He currently provides clinical services through Both/And Resources in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
You can expect your experience to be encouraging and non-judgmental. Chris is caring and calm. After talking on the phone or talking at a first appointment, you will be given a clear idea about what to expect. You can always feel free to decide whether or not it is not a good fit for you and your needs.
Is therapy for you?
The answer to that question is completely up to you, but here are a few thoughts that you might find helpful in making your choice. There are 3 reasons why people choose to come to therapy, but they all share one common denominator.
First, some people choose to come to therapy because they want to change. Maybe they need to change individually or maybe they want a change in a relationship. These people may be hurting, grieving, traumatized, or have a behavior or relationship that they see as unhealthy. If this is your situation, you need to know that whatever your situation, struggle, or experience, things can get better. Even if you don’t believe this, a therapist can hold that hope for you until you can hope for yourself. And if the changes you want to make are small, that's also great; it is easier to address issues before they have time to grow.
Some people come to therapy because they have questions. You might wonder if what you are feeling or doing is “normal.” You might want to sort out some thoughts or feelings, or have the chance to think out loud. Therapy can provide a non-judgmental place to be heard and know that what you say will stay at the office when you leave.
Finally, some choose to come to therapy when things are going well and they want to be sure that everything continues to go well. Maybe there have been recent changes in your life and you want to make sure that the transitions are smooth. Maybe you want to learn new tools to help yourself or your relationships stay healthy and continue to grow. This too is a great time to see a therapist. In fact, if more people came during these times a lot of heartache could be prevented.
So what do these people all have in common? They all have strength and a willingness to work toward change. No matter your situation or reason, it always takes courage to make an appointment. It can be a vulnerable first step toward the changes you hope to make. And the changes really are yours to make. There is little a therapist can do if you are not willing to work toward change. On the other hand, if you are willing to work toward change, the potential is amazing.