About Michael
Statement of Purpose of My Portland Counseling, Therapy Practice
"What a piece of work is man!" said Shakespeare. "How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! In form, in moving, how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a God!"
Our human potential is indeed magnificent. Yet whoever we are, each of us faces personal obstacles that challenge us to grow and thereby to fulfill our potentials. Sometimes our challenges may overwhelm us, and we need help.
Perhaps we are overwhelmed by a personal problem such as depression, low self-esteem, or anxiety. Perhaps instead we long for a deeper sense of purpose and greater fulfillment, but we are uncertain how to renew ourselves. Or we may be bothered by an irksome habit or behavior such as a phobia. The challenges that confront us are as diverse as is our human potential. No one therapeutic model or technique can embrace them all.
Therefore to serve the diverse needs of my counseling clients across the spectrum of personal growth from everyday problems to spiritual concerns, I offer these different therapy and counseling approaches:.
Somatic (Body-Oriented) Therapy - (individual sessions, groups, and workshops) for profound personal growth spanning changes to mind, body, and feelings.
Existential / Authenticity Counseling - (individual sessions, groups, and workshops) - to actualize the existential uniqueness of the client.
Spiritual Counseling - (individual sessions, groups, and workshops) - to explore and integrate one's spiritual nature and experience.
Hypnotherapy - (individual sessions) - for rapid relief of specific ailments, especially those that are psychosomatic in origin.
Principles of My Portland Counseling / Therapy Practice
By way of self-introduction, some of the principles which inform my therapy practice are shared below. Each is derived from more than four decades of study, practice, and experience of humanistic and transpersonal personal growth models and various contemplative traditions.
The Imperative of Personal Growth
At root, our social, economic, and global problems are problems of individuals in relationship. They are problems of individual attitude, values, and actions reflected in interpersonal relationship. Effective social change therefore requires that we change ourselves.
The Humanistic Model
Unlike the medical model which underlies many therapeutic approaches and views persons as being either "sick" or "healthy," the humanistic model views individuals as existing at different places on the spectrum of personal growth. The humanistic model's vision of human potential underlies so very many personal growth practices such as my own.
Self-Actualization
Inherent to our natures is a drive to develop towards greater differentiation, wholeness, and integration - towards individuation as Jung might claim - or towards self-actualization as Maslow might assert.
The Existence of Biophysical Energy
Underlying the gross physical body is a subtle biophysical energy. This energy is known by such terms as qi, prana, orgone, animal magnetism, odyllic force, the Holy Ghost, and other terms known to many other cultures.
Wholeness / Non-Duality
Restoring ourselves to process leads past socially conditioned dualistic conceptions of "right" and "wrong" to a radical permissiveness or acceptance of ourselves as we are. Wholeness is sought, and in becoming and expressing that wholeness, we become our authentic selves.
Unconditional Positive Self-Regard
The very act of opening ourselves to the experience and reintegration of previously disowned parts of ourselves (wholeness), implicitly is an act of unconditional positive self regard (to borrow from Carl Rogers) or -- unconditional love.
Personal Authenticity
Personal authenticity then is the living in unqualified accord with the givenness of our unique selves (to borrow from Bugental).
The Transcendent Human Nature
There is a transcendent capacity within human nature. This is attested to by the world's contemplative traditions and religions, a surfeit of anecdotal evidence, and one's own direct experience. Spiritual experience is the farther range of human nature.
Counselor and Therapist Credentials
Education
M.A, in Psychology with Distinction, Saybrook Institute, 1997.
B.A. in Psychology, University of Kansas, 1975.
Certifications & Trainings:
Certification, RADIX Therapy Practitioner, RADIX Institute
Certification, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Knightsbridge Institute
Certification, Certified Hypnotherapist, National Guild of Hypnotists
Certification, Neuro-Linguistic Programmer, Grinder & Delozier Associates
Various certifications to teach qigong forms, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
Training in Focusing, Focusing Resources (2005-2007)
Certification, Instructor of Hypnosis, National Guild of Hypnotists, 2009.
Certification, Focusing Teacher, Inner Relationship Focusing (2007-2010)
Professional Affiliations:
National Guild of Hypnotists
Focusing Institute
Inner Relationship Focusing
The Population I Serve
Although trained and experienced in a variety of therapy modalities, it is important to understand that I am neither a psychologist, nor psychotherapist. Persons seeking diagnosis or treatment of behavioral, emotional or mental disorders are advised to seek the services of a licensed psychotherapist. I practice as an Unlicensed Counselor as allowed by the State of Oregon.
I have chosen not to become licensed, because I choose to work with my clients from the "humanistic model" of therapy, not the "medical model" which views persons as being either ill or healthy. There are persons who do suffer from disorders, and they are best served by licensed practitioners.
The clients with whom I work are everyday persons such as you and I who seek to expand their understanding of themselves, to optimize their functioning, and to realize the promise of their human potential.
Please note that the services which I provide are not a substitute for the assessment, or diagnosis, or treatment of mental and medical illness when such is needed, desired, or required. I do not assess, diagnose, treat, or prescribe any illness whether mental disorder or physical. Instead my work intends to promote the optimal functioning and personal growth of my clients.
