Choosing a therapist may seem like a daunting task. Often, people try to manage the process by seeking out therapists with a particular specialty. But research has actually shown that therapy is most effective when there is a good fit between patient and therapist.

Feeling comfortable with your therapist is much more important than any claimed special expertise. Although some specialists are good at what they do, they might not have a wide enough perspective to engage you as a whole person and may miss other important factors in your situation. Their approach is then limited by their specialty.

This is why I orient myself from a very broad perspective and work with a wide range of issues. When people ask me what I specialize in I tell them "good therapy." I excel at working with the whole person. I don't claim to work well with everyone or everything but I do offer truly effective counseling for a number of concerns. Here are some examples, listed in random order:

• Individuals suffering from disabling emotional experiences such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks or social phobias
• Couples in conflicted and broken relationships
• Trauma survivors, including victims of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and life-shattering events in adulthood
• Persons who've previously had a bad therapy experience but want to make improvements in their lives
• Individuals with out of control sexual behaviors, including sexual addictions
• Growth-oriented work for a more fulfilling life (individuals or couples)
• Unblocking obstacles to more rewarding living in general Persons recovering from hurtful religious experiences, including rigid, shaming, authoritarian Christianity