WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE!

I’m a counselor, coach, and trainer in Plano, Texas. Here at my site you'll find information about my office practice, telephone and online counseling, coaching, my teleseminars "Assertive Communication" and "Couples Communication," my treatment philosophy and specialties.

My Counseling Philosophy and How I Work

When clients enter my office near Preston Road and Plano Parkway, they see a soft green frog holding a magic wand. We often wish someone would touch us with a magic wand and fix our lives or change a problem person into a prince or princess.                                    

As we work together, we layer down to uncover the root causes of your problems. Using your current strengths, the new skills you'll learn, and your courage, you can resolve your difficulties. The methods I use may include cognitive therapy (thinking rationally), interpersonal therapy, assertiveness and communication skills training, relaxation and deep breathing techniques, biofeedback, and referral for a medication consultation.

I also counsel people with medical illnesses, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia assisting them to cope with these major life stressors; sometimes using biofeedback to help clients learn how to do things such as: reduce pain levels, lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and lower breathing rate. Biofeedback can also reduce panic, anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms and improve symptoms of ADD/ADHD.

I've been in practice for over 30 years and a trainer and speaker for local organizations, businesses, and other therapists. Some of the courses I’ve developed and taught include Adults Abused As Children, Assertive Communication, Behavioral Medicine for Fibromyalgia, Conflict Resolution, Couples Communication, Funny Business: Humor in the Workplace, Communication Skills for Managers and Supervisors, Relaxation and Meditation, Stress Management, Team Building, Understanding Depression. For a complete list, see the Training page.

Specialties

1. •Assertiveness and Communication Skills
   

2. •Relationship and Family Issues
   

3. •Military Life, PTSD
   

4. •Anxiety, Depression, Grief
   

5. •Coping Skills for Adult ADD/ADHD
   

6. •Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
   

7. •Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Medical Illnesses
   

8. •Biofeedback for Pain Management, Stress, Anxiety, Muscle Tension, Fibromyalgia, Reduction of Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Breathing Rate
   

Office Fees

$125 for a 50 minute session. I’m a provider for some plans and an out-of-network provider for all other plans.

Insurance Information - Please Read Carefully

Your mental health insurance (also known as "behavioral health") works very differently from your medical plan.  In addition, your Mental Health insurance company is usually a different company than that of your medical insurance. Look on the back of your insurance card to find the telephone number for your mental health plan.  Call them to obtain the information you need.

Mental health insurance requires that you, the PATIENT, call the insurance company before scheduling an appointment to determine if you need to be precertified and if I’m a provider on your plan.  Write down the precertification number to give to me so that I may file your claims.  Ask how many sessions your precertification includes.

You’ll also need to ask:  how much your co-pay is, how much your deductible is, if you’ve met your deductible yet, and how many sessions you are allowed each year.  If you haven’t met your deductible, ask how much is left to be met.

If I’m not a provider on your plan, you can use your out of network benefits. Ask for the same information regarding precertification, copay, deductible, number of sessions, etc. when you go out of network. Bring your precertification/authorization number and your insurance card to your appointment. Mental health fees are tax deductible as medical expenses. You may also choose not to use your insurance to protect your privacy and reduce the future possibility of being refused life or medical insurance.

Licenses and Professional Affiliations

1. •Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 1829, Texas - LMFT
   

2. •Licensed Professional Counselor, 4127, Texas - LPC
   

3. •Clinical Member, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
   

Education

1. •Bachelor of Science, University of North Texas
   

2. •Master of Science, East Texas State University, now Texas A & M in Commerce
   

3. •Over 5000 hours continuing professional, technical, post graduate education
   

The frog is a reminder that the magic is inside us and has been all along. We can touch our lives with our own magic, create the life we want, and enjoy the resulting successes, good relationships, and mental health. Sometimes all we need to do is learn new ways to think, communicate, and act that we weren't exposed to as children.