My work with clients is at the intersection of communication and creativity. I’ve noticed that most of my clients are missing those skills in their lives. Here’s why I think they are essential in this context- Creativity is a master problem-solving skill. It helps us see there are multiple solutions – not just one or two. Good communication skills allow us to connect with others and most importantly with ourselves. With my clients, we focus on developing both of these skills to move away from the life-alienating strategies of the past and move towards life-serving strategies to help people thrive. I want my clients to thrive, not just survive. I want to foster in my clients a sense of duty to fulfill their own potential.

I am a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). I am a member of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP), National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAACD), American Counseling Association (ACA), The Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC), and an Academic Associate of the Viktor Frankl Institute. I have presented professionally at international and state conferences.

Communication is fundamental

Do you feel isolated from others? Many of my clients do. Often people feel isolated because they don’t know how to get their needs met and sometimes they are not even aware of what their emotions are trying to tell them. Strong communication skills are imperative in overcoming addiction and moving into the next phase of your life’s journey. I coach my clients on how to improve their communication skills so they can connect with themselves and others in more exhilarating ways. We begin by focusing on self-care. By learning to treat one’s self with kindness and empathy, my clients are better able to pass along compassion and understanding to others – you can’t give something away you don’t first possess.

What’s creativity got to do with it?

First, let me clarify that creativity is different than art. Creativity is about exploration. Creativity is about trying something out and seeing if it works. I find my clients often lack the ability to think creatively about how to solve problems. They are stuck in a mindset where they see very few other solutions to their needs other than chemical relief. I encourage my clients to play, to be curious and to be aware there are thousands of solutions out there. The more we allow ourselves to discover about our world through creation, the more we infuse creativity into our problem-solving strategies, the more we encourage play in young and old alike, the more prepared we will be for challenging situations whenever they find us. Creativity is the antidote to underdeveloped connecting strategies. Connection is the relief that most of us are seeking.