Debra Nelson

Relationship issues cover a vast array of areas in our lives. We have relationships with our immediate families, extended families, friends, romantic partners, co-workers, and supervisors -- just to name a few! At times, these relationships can become complex, or even toxic to our well-being. Understanding how to best navigate your current relationships, and even uncover patterns of relating, can greatly improve your relationships and reduce overall stress in your life.

We all experience worries and anxiety at some point in our lives. Sometimes our ways of coping with these feelings don't seem like enough. Whether you are dealing with nagging worries, or something more significant such as specific fears (e.g., driving, flying), obsessive-compulsive tendencies (e.g., hording, having trouble with germs, varying your routine), or are having panic attack symptoms, we can work towards reducing the impact these worries are having on your life.

Our needs can vary greatly as we age, and folks over 60 years old have unique needs that have to be addressed in very individual ways. This is often a reflective time of life, as one perhaps transitions to retirement, having children launch into their own lives, losing loved ones, and managing family expectations with your own health and capabilities. Through therapy, we can explore these areas to ensure you are getting the most out of this new life stage.

Although I do long-term therapy with many clients, there are times when a very solution-focused approach is best. This type of therapy is best for specific problems to be solved in a time-limited way. It is a very future-oriented approach focused on behavioral change.

This is a very specific therapy to address concerns related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Within this therapy model, we would work together to generate a hierarchy of events or stumbling blocks getting in your way. We then create challenges for concurring each obstacle using learned coping skills from session.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the primary modality I use within sessions. I see this as a flexible approach that allows for maximum collaboration with clients. Although we focus on present and future goals, I am also interested in learning about your past and seeing if any past patterns are getting in the way of your goals. Through CBT, you will learn new techniques (both cognitive and behavioral) for more effective coping with life's stressors.