|
About my Boulder Counseling and
Psychotherapy Practice Approach
Why therapy? Great question...
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions I come across as a Boulder Counselor. If you have
specific questions about my Boulder counseling pratice approach which are not addressed here, please feel free to contact me
anytime.
- What do you appreciate most about working as a counselor?
- Why Therapy? Of what value is it?
- I've never seen a professional counselor; what can I expect?
- How would you describe your counseling and psychotherapy approach?
- What about couples therapy?
- What theoretical approaches do you work from?
- What kinds of people or "issues" do you work with?
- How long do you typically work with someone?
- How do I schedule a free consultation?
What do you appreciate most about working as a counselor?
It is remarkable to sit with another human being and bear
witness to the fears and joys that come with living a life.
As a therapist, I consider it an honor to assist others in
discovering their own answers - in the face of whatever trying
situation, painful process or inspiring goal they bring to therapy.
At the core of my approach for individuals and couples therapy
is respect for your values and a commitment to support you in
the fulfillment of your intention for coming in.
Why Therapy?
Of what value is it?
One of my favorite answers to this question was offered by a well-respected professor in my
graduate program in psychotherapy. He commented that when facing an important business
decision or legal dilemma, one doesn't hesitate to seek the support of an attorney.
Seeking clarity and legal assistance about how best to proceed for just one
situation alone may cost thousands of dollars.
In contrast, over the course of year we all make decisions
about the nature of our life, our relationships and our professional
direction that have significant and enduring consequences.
Consider that for a similar monetary investment for one legal decision, you can gain clarity,
support and assistance over a longer time period in matters that are most dear to you.
Therapy is a confidential space which assists you in
bringing to the foreground what is of greatest value to you in your life. It may assist you in navigating relationship dilemmas,
healing emotionally, making clearer professional choices or serve as a support in overcoming the many challenges we face as human beings.
Having an impartial, trustworthy and warm professional who knows you well and is there to assist you
in facing and working through such choices is invaluable.
Finally, therapy also helps you get familiar with your inner obstacles to fulfillment. Here is a short article about a fascinating study on the value of a self-reflective
process; to read about it, click here.
I've never seen a professional counselor; what can I expect?
For individuals I offer a free 20 minute phone consultation. This gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about my practice,
share a bit about what you're looking for, and give you a sense of whether or not you would like to schedule an initial session.
For couples, I am available for a free, in-person 30 minute consultation to give you both an opportunity to meet me together.
In the first session we'll take a few minutes to go over your rights as a client, my disclosure statement, and the confidential nature of psychotherapy.
The first session is an opportunity to share who you are and what brings you in, and a time for me to get to know you and your situation.
This initial session will give you a sense of whether or not you would like to continue
coming in and an opportunity for me to share my thoughts on whether working together would be valuable.
Even though the initial session and subsequent session or two are devoted more to an introduction of who you are and what you're seeking from
therapy, early on you should still get a sense of whether the initial time invested is helpful.
From there, you would committ to a period of therapy that makes sense for you and wrap up once you have fulfilled your intention for coming in.
Some clients I work with seek a shorter period of therapy, whether 6,10 or 12 sessions. Many others value a long term approach to therapy lasting two years or more.
Whether you come in for a short term or long term therapy, throughout the therapeutic process we'll both have an opportunity to check in about your progress.
Most clients come to a place when they know their work is complete and either wrap up, take a break, or still come in, but less frequently.
All this is up to you, and you are welcome to end therapy at any time.
Typically, clients commit to a regular day and time which is helpful in many respects. Others schedule sessions as they work with their changing schedules.
How would you describe your counseling and psychotherapy approach?
Psychotherapy is a powerful process assisting you in removing the
unconscious and emotional obstacles keeping you from the fulfilmment of what is most dear to you.
The Swiss psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, described an aspect of his
psychotherapeutic approach as a dialectic process.
Jung acknowledged that no two clients are alike,
and no specific formula can be applied to everyone.
A dialectic approach captures a relational process
in which two people seek to discover the "truth" together.
Applied to counseling, a dialectic approach is akin to the
Socratic process of bringing to awareness that which is untrue
and limiting while simultaneously aligning with what is true and uplifting.
In this process, you have an opportunity to discover and
release painful emotional obstacles and unconscious belief systems
contributing to your present experience or difficulties.
Why focus on the inner obstacles?
These unconscious influences are like the classic metaphor of
the clouds covering the light of the sun. A psychotherapeutic process
assists you in recognizing and releasing the clouds obscuring this
light within.
This is may sound abstract and nebulous; yet it is very apt.
As the clouds subside (emotional pain, old patterns etc), you
effortlessly fulfill the goals you bring to therapy. Click here to read about a fascinating study illustrating this point.
You may seek to rediscover harmony in a relationship,
overcome depression, renew confidence and clarity in your
professional life, or fulfill your spiritual potential in a
tradition that is meaningful to you.
The scenarios are as limitless and unique as each person seeking therapy.
A central element of my Boulder counseling practice approach is to
assist you in not only overcoming or realizing relief from what ails you,
but also in discovering or recommitting your life to the fulfillment
of your deepest values and inspirations, however clear or unclear
they may be to you now.
What about couples therapy?
I love working with married couples and individuals in committed relationships in whatever place they find
themselves in - whether they seek help in renewing a sense of fulfillment in their relationship, or clarity and support during a time of struggle and crisis.
I also work with new couples and/or couples seeking premarital counseling.
While at its core couples counseling relies on the same principles of individual psychotherapy, there are important differences.
Two central elements I explore with all the couples I work with are: one, creating greater clarity and commitment to the core values
at the heart of the relationship, and two, exploring unconscious dynamics and vulnerabilities in such a way as to help each person understand
their companion's most difficult edges while simultaneously assisting one another in growing further.
The outcome of this process may mean a deeper recommitment to the relationship or a clear decision to separate.
In fact, this very question is usually one of the greatest motivators for couples seeking counseling.
Engaging in a couples counseling process is invaluable before making such a challenging and significant decision. From a therapeutic perspective, very often it is the seemingly insurmountable conflicts which
serve as the greatest opportunities for growth and wholeness.
Click here to read more about some helpful couples strategies and answers to common dilemmas.
What theoretical approaches do you work from?
The advantage of practicing psychotherapy today is the vast well-spring of knowledge available to therapists.
In addition to present day mindfulness, humanistic and marriage/family counseling approaches, I have great respect for fundamental
principles of psychoanalysis, and its contributions to our understanding of the structure and defense mechanisms of the ego.
I also greatly respect the work of Carl G. Jung, and his immeasurable
contributions to our comprehension of the human spirit, the value of dreams and symbols,
and the collective archetypes influencing mankind. Jung is credited as the Father of present
day transpersonal psychology, which I also turn to as a therapist.
Finally, I draw from the work of David R. Hawkins, whose 50 year background
in psychiatry and psychoanalysis included running the largest practice in the
United States for 25 years. His exhaustive work on the nature of consciousness
and clinically relevant information on how to transcend the limitations of the
human ego are indispensable.
What kinds of people or "issues" do you work with?
The core of my practice is couples therapy and individual counseling for adults. I also offer individual and couples therapy in Spanish.
I work with people on a number of life's issues/challenges, including: relationship struggles,
loss, grief, depression, anxiety, divorce and professional transitions or crisis.
Many of the clients I work with seek therapy for self growth, and engage in counseling to discover,
understand and move beyond unconscious obstacles which keep them feeling stuck or unfulfilled.
Clients also seek me out for support with their addiction/recovery work.
How long do you typically work with someone?
I typically work with individuals and couples once a week for a period of time and gradually move to once every other week
until the clients feel they have achieved their personal therapy goals.
As I noted above, some clients I work with seek a shorter period of therapy, whether 6,10 or 12 sessions.
Many others value a long term approach to therapy lasting between 6-24 months or more.
Couples therapy is usually complete in a shorter period, while individuals are more likely to commit to a long term therapy.
Whether short or long term, after wrapping up a period of therapy it is quite common for couples and/or individuals to commit to sessions once a month or every so often as needed.
Having a therapist well-familiar with your life, goals and history is a valuable resource.
The length of counseling depends on you, the nature of your situation and your intention. I have worked with individuals and couples successfully in just a few sessions
and with many others over a much longer time period.
A long term therapy allows for therapist and clients alike to better explore and discover unconscious influences and relational dynamics.
A short term therapy can be equally helpful in realizing your therapeutic goals. Whether short, long, or somewhere in between, I value working in all contexts.
How do I schedule a free consultation?
Easy...
You may either call 303-929-3353 or contact me online and let me know when would be a good time to speak.
Return Home from Therapeutic Approach
Matt Laughlin, MA
Psychotherapist
303-929-3353
My Boulder Counseling Practice Location is:
1634 Walnut Street, Suite 111C
Boulder, CO 80302
Also serving the following Colorado cities and towns:
Arvada, Alma, Aurora, Bennett, Black Hawk, Brighton, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Centennial, Central City, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Commerce City, Dacono, Denver, Englewood, Evergreen, Federal Heights, Firestone, Fort Lupton, Frederick, Georgetown, Glendale, Golden, Greeley, Greenwood Village, Idaho Springs, Kiowa, Lafayette, Lakeside, Lakewood, Larkspur, Littleton, Lone Tree, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Morrison, Mountain View, Niwot, Northglenn, Parker, Sheridan, Superior, Thornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge.
|
Why "Spiritus"?
The Latin word "spiritus" has several meanings, such as spirit, courage, soul, and vigor.
Spiritus is at the core of a transformative counseling process, revealing one's intrinsic potential.
Spiritus Counseling
Monthly News
Sign-up and receive FREE access to all audio programs
|
