Anxiety
Do your thoughts sometimes seem like an endless list of things you "should do" or "should be able to do." Is much of your time spent either avoiding situations or trying to control them to help yourself feel ok? Do you feel it in your body...tense and on edge, heart racing, stomach pain, panic?
Worry and anxiety are part of everyday life, however for some people they can become overwhelming or even debilitating. Anxiety can take many forms including general worry, panic, specific phobias, hyper-arousal, or traumatic reactions, memories, and flashbacks. Anxiety that is untreated is likely to effect social relationships, work performance, and reduce overall life satisfaction.
I help clients with practical interventions to address anxiety including, cognitive techniques, behavior change, exposure and response prevention, and building healthy coping. I also help clients address any past experiences that may have shaped how they respond to stress.
Men's Issues
Men are more likely to view high levels of anxiety as normal, keep their worries or emotions to themselves, and minimize their concerns. When men are depressed they often feel irritable, quick to anger, disinterested, or distracted as often as they feel down, sad, or worthless. Dealing with these issues while also trying to remain productive can lead to working to much, avoiding things, drinking more, arguing, isolating yourself, or increased internet use or gaming.
I work with men of all ages on anxiety and mood concerns, anger, attention, addiction, relationship issues, family/work issues, and sexual issues. My approach is pragmatic and straightforward which can often help to generate solutions that are difficult to identify on your own.
It can be difficult to think about getting help or talking about yourself in the way that therapy is often depicted. However, talking to somebody just to get a clearer picture or to brainstorm possible options can make a big difference.
Relationship Issues
Our moments of greatest joy and deepest sadness are often associated with the relationships that we have. Over time our sense of connection and ability to maintain healthy relationships can become frayed or damaged. This can occur in the course of a single important relationship with a family member or spouse. It can also be carried from relationship to relationship when a sense of trust and safety have been violated in the past.
My approach to working with relationship issues in individual therapy is to help you better understand what you bring to your relationships and whether you are getting what you need from the important people in your life. Common issues addressed include difficulties with trust, managing conflict, sexual intimacy, expressing personal needs, shame or guilt, anxiety or isolation.
Substance Abuse
Has your drinking or substance use become something more than an occasional relief? Has it started to create problems at home? at work? with friends or family? Do you wonder if you are somehow different than others or that you might end up with a more serious problems down the line?
Alcohol and drug issues can be difficult to identify on your own. My approach to working with alcohol and substance use problems is to help you change your use to ensure that it matches with your personal goals and values. That can look like reshaping use to decrease or eliminate problems, addressing other personal concerns that may lead to drinking or drug use, and in some cases abstinence.
I consider you as a whole person and your drinking and substance use as just one aspect of your overall health. Change can be hard to envision especially when your environment or situation is stressful. My approach will help you recognize your own patterns in responding to stressors and help you build support.
Education
Loyola University Chicago
License
License No. 071.009274
Years in practice
8 years
Verified |
Licensed in IL
312-925-6330
