| Jan Summers |
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Client Services Individuals Couples Stepfamilies Children Contact for appointment My Basic Philosophy: It seems that we direct our lives and are satisfied with it, or not, based on what we believe. Recognizing the wisdom of indigenous cultures as a source of life-sustaining guidance, I make room for clients to examine a full range of beliefs in order to design the life that's right for them. I value individuality and self-reliance, and I see my job as that of helping clients identify their strengths and replace ineffective ideas and habits with new ones that work. Clients should walk away with relief from emotional turmoil, hope for the future and confidence in learned life management skills. It is also not unusual for clients, once their lives are in balance, to recognize the spiritual connection that serves to anchor their success. We hear so often that we should "work on ourselves" and that is difficult to understand at certain stages in life. People choose individual therapy, usually, when they are tired of finding themselves in the same difficult situations. Therapy works differently from just talking to a friend, because the well-trained therapist is proficient in identifying the beliefs that guide a person's behavior, on many different levels. Therapists do not give advice. We guide you to recognize your innate wisdom and teach you how to return to it, again and again, throughout your life. Don't give up yet. At present our culture sends messages that conflict with the kinds of beliefs and expectations that support long-term relationships. In addition, basic knowledge of human personalities and how they function are generally overlooked in our society. These understandings are essential to interpersonal relationships. People feel left out or out of sync with others, whom they think are getting along just fine. Couples education involves learning how your partner's personality functions along with identifying your inner wishes and clarifying where your strengths are best utilized in the relationship. Highly underestimated and barely understood, the challenges of being part of a stepfamily are enormous. Even though the majority of American families now are stepfamilies, people who enter into the relationships are lacking information that can improve the chances of stepfamily succeeding. Along with having provided therapy to hundreds of couples over the years, I have recently trained with the Stepfamily Foundation to include mediation services tailored to the concerns that this family structure generates. Services to children include play therapy, school consultation and in-class observation. A full developmental history is our beginning basis, parental input and mapping of behavior concerns is included. I look at the complete picture including diet, daily schedule, outside activities, learning styles and recent events, for example, to help determine what needs to be worked on. A number of humor-driven, focused, interactive seminars are available for your group, staff or audience dealing with everyday life management topics. Research supported examples are included and participants leave with additional resources and a plan in hand to make changes in their lives. While there are specific workshop offerings, the content can be designed to cover the specific needs of your group. Please call for more info: 800-203-6029 For managers, employers, teachers, administrators and others who seek to change the climate in which they function or who are dealing with a specific problem and need some insight into possible solutions, telephone consultations are available on an hourly basis. Please call 800-203-6029.
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