Allow me to introduce myself...
Greetings!
My name is Jim Anderson, and I'm a seasoned mental health therapist. If you're having problems with emotion (depression, anxiety for example), behavior (angry outbursts, domestic violence, assault or sex charges, for example), or kids (poor school performance, withdrawn, angry to name just a few).
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington State, and in 1987 I received a Master of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. I have significant experience under my belt. I can help you, I can help your kids, I can help your spouse/partner, I can help your wonderful but troubled family feel better and do better.
Plus, I make it a point to help you find solutions or relief
In Olympia, WA, I work with individuals, couples, families and children. Individual counseling with a child is often appropriate, but I sometimes determine that behavioral or emotional problems involving children are much more effectively addressed within the context of family therapy, and I may ask adults and/or other family members to participate.
Parents hold the keys to improved child behavior, and we all lose our keys once in awhile, don't we? It's NOT about finding fault with your parenting skills, it's about finding effective solutions to your parenting problems. And yes, I am a parent (and a grandparent too), which makes me very humble indeed.
I practice brief, solution-focused therapy. Finding effective solutions to distressing human problems can be elusive. Problems of thinking, feeling and relating develop over time, and once developed, they resist change. Together, we will work toward interrupting unwanted patterns and you'll learn to identify and practice more effective, rewarding alternatives.
Many families experience child behavioral problems that parents feel helpless to change. Putting the parents safely in charge of the family is a primary counseling goal, and the improved behavior of the child(ren) is another. The parent(s), whether biological parents, step-parents, single parents, grandparents as caretakers, same-sexed parents, etc., are taught and encouraged to work in a more coordinated if not harmonious manner.
Skill-building can be an important part of counseling. Assignments are sometimes given, always pertaining directly or indirectly to our agreed-upon goals. (Assignments can be negotiated, but I will never ask you to do anything illegal, immoral, or harmful to yourself or others in any way. Change is often hard-won, however, and to have all the tools I need can require a leap of faith on your part. I didn't say I'll never ask you to do anything HARD, UNUSUAL or UNCOMFORTABLE, now did I?)
The therapeutic process is always a joint effort between my clients and me, and a synergy of solution-oriented collaboration often results.
Our behavior and emotions are just like a train on the track. We can always change direction, just as soon as we overcome the inertia.
See more under the tab "How I Work."
I look forward to meeting you soon,
Jim
Listening
Sometimes, caring listening is what’s needed to find relief from unwelcome emotions and acute stress. It’s often possible to process and discharge distressing feelings and even to experience greater self-understanding in this way. Better self-understanding is often an important part of resolving problems of feeling, thinking and relating. Additionally, a more complete self-understanding can contribute to a more purposeful and effective life.
But mostly people want to feel better and/or behave better. Listening is an excellent avenue to that end.
But mostly people want to feel better and/or behave better. Listening is an excellent avenue to that end.
