What do you imagine when you think of a front porch? I see people relaxing and talking. I hear stories shared and problems solved. I think feelings like sadness, hurt, and anger are expressed, along with joy and love. Listening happens, and people are comforted. I believe before therapy, front porches created countless moments of healing. That is why I call my practice Front Porch Counseling, and while I don’t use a front porch for therapy, I have a large wrap-around front porch at my office. So, physically and metaphorically, I have a front porch for you.
I believe...
We are unique and individual; we don’t fit into molds and boxes.
We generally have very good, respectable, and important reasons for feeling and behaving as we do.
Many unpleasant feelings and behaviors (pain, panic, compulsive behaviors, depression, etc.) are an attempt by our unconscious to call awareness to what needs attention.
Many feelings and behaviors that are dysfunctional and self-sabotaging now were once valid survival responses.
The deep work of healing, growth, and self-discovery is challenging, painful, rewarding, possible, and imminently valuable.
We cannot separate people into mind, body, and soul; we must be seen and treated as a whole.
For more information, see my Psychology Today profile.
