Helping Individuals -
“Clients who are treated by marriage and family therapists are more productive at work and visit their doctors less often….” 1

Benefits of counseling
Through the use of state of the art...
   • Resolve upsetting relationships
   • Increase self-esteem and self-confidence
   • Heal from painful childhood issues
   • Live with a sense of purpose and passion
   • Manage angry feelings
   • Cope with grief and emotional pain
   • Reduce feelings of depression and anxiety
   • Learn stress reduction skills for inner peace

Helpful for people with these issues …

   • Relationship problems or breakups
   • Experiencing a lot of change
   • Self-defeating habits
   • Emotional stress
   • Want to regain a sense of control and find
      inner peace

1) California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT),
Marriage and Family Therapy-A Unique Healing Art. (858) 292-2638

Couple Counseling
I help couples respect each other, resolve conflicts, and grow together. I teach couples communication skills through the use of videotaping their dialogue. Less than 10% of couple therapists use this helpful method.

Benefits of counseling
   • Through the use state of the art assessment tools couples find their relationship
      strengths and growth areas
   • Couples learn ways to improve communication and resolve long standing problems
      by observing their videotaped dialogue during the session. Each partner can see
      him/herself from a new perspective
   • Partners reduce blaming each other and decrease their defensive reactions
   • Couples receive handouts learning ways to talk and listen that lead to understanding
   • Build friendship and intimacy

Helpful for …
   • Couples considering marriage
   • Married couples
   • Same sex couples
   • Couples with sexual difficulties
   • Couples wondering if they should stay together
   • Couples going through the separation process
   • Couples who have experienced interpersonal violence
   • Couples affected by a partner’s substance abuse

See John’s Approach for number of counseling sessions done.

Pre-marital counseling using the PREPARE/ENRICH Inventories
   • 3-6 Sessions
   • Couples take a relationship inventory that evaluates their relationship strengths
      and growth areas in 20 categories.
   • Inventories available: Premarital couples with or without children; Cohabitating
      couples with or without children; Married couples; Couples over the age of 50.
   • Couples learn six exercises: building strength and growth areas; couple communication
      skills; ten steps for resolving conflict; financial planning and budget; personal, couple
      and family goals
   • Over two million couples have taken these inventories

Helpful for …
   • Disruptive behavior at home or school
   • Lack of motivation
   • Drop in grades
   • Alcohol or drug problems

2) California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), Marriage and
Family Therapy-A Unique Healing Art. (858) 292-2638

Overcoming substance abuse - Dealing with problems with alcohol and drugs is frustrating, confusing, and scary. Counseling helps clients take action and heal.

Benefits
   • Learn the difference between substance abuse and dependence
   • Learn about stages of change and ways to become motivated
   • Handle emotions of anger, guilt, and shame
   • Focus on your strengths in other areas

Helpful for …
   • Substance abusers who wonder if they have a problem
   • People at various stages of recovery
   • People who have relationship or work problems due to substance abuse
   • Family members affected by a member’s substance abuse

Men’s Issues - Men often believe going to counseling is admitting weakness. Counseling helps men to learn about themselves and better express their thoughts and feelings. Going for counseling shows that a man is willing to learn and grow.

Benefits of counseling
   • Identify your feelings
   • Manage feelings of anger and violent outbursts
   • Reduce depression
   • Learn healthy relationship skills
   • Develop intimacy

Helpful for men with these problems…
   • Feel lonely and isolated from their partner and family members
   • Overwork as a means to feel good about themselves
   • Have substance abuse problems
   • Involved in interpersonal violence

Wellness/Personal Growth - Wellness counseling helps clients learn skills to achieve health, well-being, and optimism.

Benefits of counseling
   • Live with a sense of purpose and passion
   • Practice stress reduction skills for inner peace
   • Develop mind and body integration
   • Explore your spirituality

Helpful for people with …
   • Mental and emotional stress and anxiety
   • Chronic or life-threatening illness