Andrea has over 30 years' experience
as a practitioner and supervisor of others practicing in the Mental Health field, having held such job titles as Counselor,
Family Therapist, Program Director, Clinical Director, and Clinical Consultant.
Currently and for the
past 12 years she has run a thriving solo private practice in which she offers both Transpersonal and Cognitive Therapy
to individuals, couples, families and groups.
Therapy, as defined here, is an
opportunity for clients to become acquainted with feelings, thoughts, and patterns of behavior, both effective and ineffective,
and to challenge themselves to become authentic, living effectively and happily.
Therefore, authenticity, choice and meaning are key concepts that will be utilized in the therapeutic
endeavor. We may use art, poetry, metaphor, story, depth oriented therapy, experiential dynamic, internal dialogue and
cognitive restructuring in the therapeutic effort. The length of and the outcome of therapy is largely a matter of individual
client choice. The harder the client works, the better the outcome.
Andrea’s approach is based on the theory that as children we all learn, through a kind of osmosis
of attachment to family and society, to put on certain masks and costumes, which when used repeatedly become patterns of behavior,
thought and feeling. In other words, we have learned to perform a role. In the process of repeatedly performing
this role, we have come to believe that this role is who we are.
But it is not who we are. We have an Authentic
Self which has been sent out of our conscious awareness and into confinement behind the role we live. Still
the Authentic Self has been speaking to us all along in ways we have often
denied, and it more clearly speaks to us when we are in a crisis. Therapy
offers us the opportunity to learn how to recognize, hear and respond to the voice of our own authenticity calling us home
to our own peace.
An analogy to this view would be the tree, which blows in the sometimes harsh wind that might cause
branches crack and break off. This tree suffers the assaults of humanity as people
carve their initials in it and put nails in it to build tree houses and hold basketball hoops.
And it suffers the insult of the seasons through rain, wind, hail, sleet, snow and ice.
Like us, this tree appears to be suffering. But if you look underground,
you’ll find that the roots are doing just fine, thank you very much. In
fact, throughout the tree’s life above ground, these roots have never been wounded.
In fact, they are the life source and force for the tree.
We have a part of us that is just like that. It is wise and strong and has never been wounded.
It is the Authentic Self. It is possible to begin to live out of this part of ourselves. It is possible
to shed the role, the mask and the costume and begin to live in the real.
Andrea
works with clients on the following issues:
- transpersonal concerns
- relationship issues
- supportive therapy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
concerns and relationships
- marital therapy/couples counseling
- mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and others
- and unresolved grief
Andrea
is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Certified Counseling Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor, and a National
Board of Certified Counselors' Approved Provider of Continuing Education, with a Doctoral Degree in Metaphysical Pastoral
Counseling.
Andrea is currently accepting new
clients and does accept some insurance.
