Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are you currently taking new clients?
Yes, and if you’re interested in working together, you can start the process by giving me a call at 512-855-2678 or emailing joey@lifedynamic-counseling.com. If and when my practice is full and I am no longer accepting new clients, I will update this site accordingly.
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Q. What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy?
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In general, counseling refers to work remediating issues that tend to involve shorter-term treatment of issues more ‘on-the-surface’ or conscious. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, tends to refer to more intensive, longer-term work of more deep-seated issues, often involving developmental trauma. In practice, the words often tend to be used interchangeably. I’m qualified and happy to work with clients interested in either, both, or not sure which one captures their experience more accurately.
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Q. What are the differences between counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and life coaches?
I get into more depth about this question elsewhere, but I’ll briefly sketch an idea here as well.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors whose practice is generally focused on the prescribing of medication. Other mental health professionals often collaborate with them when working with clients whose conditions may be benefitted by medicinal prescription(s)
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Psychologists, Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers each practice psychotherapy and have considerable overlap amongst their lines of work but have different credentials and training that emphasizes different client experiences. My own training is in mental health counseling.
Life coaches may help clients in overcoming difficulties or working towards goals similarly to psychotherapists in any of the above professions, but their profession is unregulated, and thus does not require advanced degrees, licensure, or training. Some of them, however, do have such training.
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Q. How long does therapy take?
This too varies considerably from client to client. To reach the client’s intended goals can take only a few sessions, a few months, or in some cases, several years. Sometimes what a client enters therapy thinking is the goal or problem to overcome changes dramatically upon further reflection in and outside of sessions. Sometimes, if a client has a very clear idea of what issue they’d like to work on and strong motivation to work on it, the work can be quite brief. You are the expert on your own life – I will not tell a client who wishes to continue working that we must stop due to any arbitrary deadline, but I will also want to check in continuously to make sure that our work is actually proving beneficial to you. Sometimes, a client may solve the particular issue they came to therapy to address, depart for some time, and return later to work on another issue or re-address the previous one if it is manifesting again, perhaps in a new way. I am always happy to work with returning clients who wish to work with me again on the basis of previous success working together.
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Q. What does the process of counseling and/or psychotherapy entail?
While no two experiences are exactly the same since no two clients are exactly the same, there does tend to be a general rhythm to the therapeutic process I’m happy to outline here.
Initially in the first few sessions, I will be working to get to know you, your values, your goals, what obstacles you face in pursuit of your goals, and how I might be able to help. I will also be interested in learning about your family background and upbringing, as this often helps paint a fuller picture assisting me in understanding issues that may be implicated in our work that are not immediately apparent.
In the middle, or working phase, I will collaborate with clients to determine cognitive and/or behavioral tasks for clients to consider undertaking in between sessions to assist them in pursuit of their stated goals. My responsibility is to create a collaborative atmosphere so that the client considers their own life and situation and determines the best course of action for working towards what a thriving, fulfilling existence looks like for them specifically; which is different from what this would look like for me or any other person since we all have unique interests, goals, and aptitudes.
It should be noted that counseling and therapy can sometimes feel difficult, uncomfortable, and even downright painful at times. Sometimes overcoming obstacles and reaching goals requires hard looks in the mirror, recalling experiences from our past we may rather forget, and tough work that requires dedication and real desire to change. When clients are ready for such change though, the process can be not only gratifying, but fun, joyful, and even life changing.
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Q. Where do sessions take place?
I am currently offering in-person services at my office location in Amarillo: 2417 Hobbs Road, Suite 105, 79106.
I also see many clients in Austin and throughout Texas via Simple Practice videoconferencing.
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In career-related issues specifically, I have found John Holland’s theory of vocational personalities and John Krumboltz’s happenstance learning theory particularly helpful for clients seeking renewed professional vitality and fulfillment.
Q. What is your theoretical approach to psychotherapy and counseling?
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I utilize evidence-based, scientifically-proven modalities in helping my clients overcome challenges and reach their goals. Most especially I draw upon my training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Other treatment approaches I utilize include solution-focused, attachment-based, existential, relational, emotionally-focused, family systems, interpersonal, coaching, mindfulness-based, multicultural, rational-emotive (REBT), therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC), positive psychology, & the Gottman Method.