Counseling, Psychotherapy and Coaching

Sometimes it takes work to maintain a happy, fulfilling and meaningful life. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, my goal is always to listen to you and help you understand yourself in ways that lead to healing, balance and growth. I work with people through individual counseling, psychotherapy and coaching, couples therapy and group work.

People enter counseling for all sorts of reasons. Counseling and therapy can deepen your capacity for intimate relationships, manage stress more effectively, move beyond depression and anxiety or adjust to the changes and transitions that are part of life.

Some clients seek professional help to explore issues of sexuality and sexual orientation in a highly confidential, safe and nonjudgmental manner. Increasing our self-understanding in these areas helps us become more aware and more capable of fulfilling connection with others. I'm a member of the American Counseling Association, the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and the Association for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues in Counseling.

Perhaps you have concerns regarding a relationship. Relationships bring us our greatest joy in life -- but also our greatest pain. People often wait until they are in great distress to start couples work. Sometimes couples work is a last-ditch attempt to save a relationship that has been in trouble for a long time. That's a mistake, needlessly increasing the pain and wounding each partner experiences.

My approach to couples work is to be focused and work hard to ease the pain and begin the healing. I have worked with all sorts of couples and helped them achieve better understanding, communication and intimacy.

Many people want to know how long therapy "will take." As you would expect, that depends on the nature of the issues you bring to therapy. My intention is to keep us focused on your goals, which helps make therapy more efficient and cost-effective. That often means working weekly during the initial phases of therapy, then moving sessions to a more relaxed schedule.

In addition to more traditional therapy, I also use an approach called coaching - motivational, encouraging and solution-focused work. We set goals and strategize ways to maintain balance and eliminate barriers. Coaching can be used to work through many different types of transitions.

Ready to begin making changes? I can help.

The practical issues around working together are important. If you're considering therapy, click here for information about how I work (appointments, privacy, etc.).

If you would like to sign up for my free email newsletter, please click here.

If you would like more information, please contact me at jballew@mindspring.com or via voicemail at (404) 874-8536.