I do client-centered therapy with individual adults, couples and young adults. My approach combines working towards practical change with the potential of exploring issues on a deeper level. The first goal, in collaboration with my clients, is to create a welcoming, respectful and confidential space. My methods include psychodynamic, existential, cognitive-behavioral, and creative arts approaches.
Areas of special interest and training (alphabetical order):- Compulsions and addictions around alcohol & other drugs, sexuality & pornography, food, gambling, co-dependency, etc.
- Couples counseling.
- Creativity as an aid to growth and healing.
- Emotional issues around anger, anxiety, depression, grief, joy, serenity, etc.
- Spiritual issues of any kind.
- Young adulthood and adolescence.
With INDIVIDUALS, I advocate for emotional and cognitive awareness combined with an exploration of life themes and family patterns. With COUPLES, I favor the ideas of John Gottman and Harville Hendrix, both of whom call for friendship, passion, safety and fun within relationships. My approach with YOUNG ADULTS is engaged and informal. I welcome an open discussion of the young person's life and interests, which fosters the therapeutic connection, leading to new skills and insights.
Below are some observations related to my specialties. These are offered as a way for you to become more familiar with my approach to therapeutic issues, but they are not rigid. My way of working involves open discussion, so you would be encouraged to offer your own thoughts.
Addictions and compulsions around substances, sexuality, food, gambling, co-dependency, etc.
My first job in the counseling field was mental health/ substance abuse counseling for clients in a residential treatment center. Before that, I worked with others informally within self-help programs. I noticed that the model of addiction and recovery can have broad applications to many issues.
For example, people often start their addictive dependencies in their teenage years, at precisely the developmental stage when they are appropriately wanting to move away from a dependency on their parents. The person trades one form of dependency for another and healthy growth is stunted.
The addiction and recovery model can be useful for healing from such diverse human problems as drug and alcohol dependency; compulsive eating or sexual behavior, excess spending, gambling; and obsessive dependency relationships.
For a number of years, I facilitated and managed an Anger Management/ Emotional Awareness Group at a local community agency. The cornerstone of my approach is the acknowledgment that there is a built-in conflict between parents and teens/ young adults. Teenagers are asserting their need for greater independence— if they don't, they will not develop into healthy individuals. But teens still need parental guidance, although they may not think so.
I help navigate this delicate balance. In working with individual adolescents, I give them a safe and confidential place to express themselves, while I am also available to hear their parents' point of view. When working with the family, I seek to help each person be heard and understood, as they learn new skills in listening and understanding others.
John Gottman and Harville Hendrix, two “marriage experts” whose ideas I like, both advocate for friendship, passion, safety, and fun as the foundation of healthy relationships. I combine a version of the outstanding communication exercises of Hendrix, with the common-sense research-based findings of Gottman. I lead partners to listen to each other, to communicate emotions, to be honest about problems, but also to see strengths. For example, exploring the romance and friendship that brought you together in the first place, can help rebuild a positive foundation. Above all, couples counseling should feel like a safe place for both parties, so I put a priority on good communication in session, so as not to repeat hurtful patterns.
Creativity as an aid to growth and healing.
One aspect of my work comes out of my background in the creative arts: writing, literature, theater and improvisation. I might discuss the images and meanings in life stories or dreams, suggest a brief role play, or introduce a written or verbal exercise. None of this is required or “heavy psychodrama.” Creativity can help lead clients out of “stuck” places.
I may ask about a client's individual creative expression, or such interests they may want to develop. This includes not only the traditional arts, but such things as cooking, sports, or gardening. Creativity brings fresh insights to serious problems, and often has the added benefit of bringing light-heartedness and humor back to life, essential ingredients to health.
Emotional states such as anger, anxiety, depression, grief, joy & serenity
Anxiety and depression seem to be two of the most pervasive ills of our times. Some persons suffer from one or the other, and often they go hand-in-hand, as an alternating experience.
Depression is a complex experience that can be a sign of a healthy desire for a much-needed rest. But if depression persists, it becomes worse than the original problem. Depression offers a painful, but strangely comforting fog. My approach to depression is to try to gently explore the emotions that lie beneath the fog, and to create a safe place where even the most difficult and frightening issues can be discussed.
Anxiety also has its healthy aspect-- it can be a source of energy and motivation. If I'm worried or frightened about something, I may find I have the energy to do something about it. In the extreme, however, this source of energy is exhausting and counter-productive.
People often come to counseling because of troubling emotional states. I can get a lot more business saying I do “Grief Counseling” or “Anger Management ” then saying I do “Joy Counseling” or “Serenity Therapy.” But I like to remember that our emotional lives are not only negative. Becoming aware of and cultivating moments of joy or serenity is as important as analyzing depression or anxiety.
Spirituality is a topic that often emerges in therapy. In my experience, this deeply emotional topic usually comes up in one of two ways. 1) Many persons have had painful experiences with the religion of their childhood, and this has left them confused, sad, uncertain or angry. It is often valuable to work through these thoughts and feelings. 2) When integrated into an adult viewpoint, spirituality can be a source of strength, comfort and guidance in life's quests and struggles. For those so inclined, therapy is a place to clarify and explore this potentially healing gift.
Appointments, Fees & Insurance
I usually meet clients once a week for a 50-minute session.
The fee is $100 per session for individuals and $110 per session for couples.
As a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), my services are eligible for most insurance programs. Working with you, I can help facilitate the billing of insurance.
I also have some sliding-scale appointment times for those who cannot afford my full fee.
My office is located in the heart of Fremont in Seattle, a few blocks off Fremont Ave.
753 N. 35th St, Suite 311, 98103
Phone: 206-547-5506
Email: joeguppy(at)earthlink.net