PERSONAL STATEMENT – Overview
- My primary interest in therapy is in helping you to find and be your true self. This means looking at who you really are, the relationships you are in, and what stops you from having the life you want.
- I see therapy as a process of self-discovery: a careful, supportive exploration of how you act, think, feel, and relate to others today and how those all have been affected by your life experiences. My role is as an ally, guide, and navigator on your journey.
Anxiety and/or Depression
- These are common experiences, though some people feel their life has been taken over by them. You may feel hopeless, helpless, overwhelmed, or struggling to do the things of daily life. Your fears may stop you from having the life you want.
- These are also common in all of the following issues.
Addictions (Substances and Behaviors)
- Including alcohol, pot, cocaine, sex, porn, computer use, gambling, spending, eating (overeating, anorexia, bulimia), cutting, or obsessive/compulsive behaviors (OCD).
- You may be evaluating whether or not you have any difficulty with substances or behaviors, how great it is or isn't, and what you can do about it.
- Some people even feel like they are addicted to another person, what sometimes has been referred to as "love addiction."
- Many people find it extremely helpful to be looking at things in their life from a perspective of addiction.
Trauma
- Trauma can result from many different kinds of experience. It's what happens when your usual coping mechanisms aren't working for you because of some event that happens in your life. It's the experience of "too much!"
- I have been specializing in working with trauma for over 25 years. I have published articles about it in professional journals and I have written books about it. I will help you to understand why you are reacting as you do, even when you may feel out of control and maybe even a little crazy. Victims of Violent Crime
- This presents a special arena of trauma. If you or a family member have been a victim of violent crime, I give you a place where you can feel safe and where you can honestly and openly talk about what happened to you or your family member and how it still effects you, even when your friends and family don't want to or can't stand to hear about it any longer.
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Issues
- While I work with heterosexuals, as most psychologists do, I also work with many gay, bisexual, or lesbian people, both individually and in couples. You may be in a process of self-examination and self-discovery, and you will be the one to decide what your sexual orientation and identity is rather than have me or anyone else tell you what it is. If you are in a process of coming out, together we can consider if, when, how, and with whom you decide to do that. I will be your sounding board, your dis-information advocate, your guide, and your ally.
- If you're very clear and comfortable with your sexual orientation, whatever that may be, I can give you a safe place where you can be open about who you are, talk candidly about your sexual practices, and maybe also frankly discuss how HIV has impacted your life or your relationships.
Mind/Body
- What you think can affect how you feel, and what you feel affects how think. In addition to traditional talk therapy, if you want to, I am also able to work somatically (with the body) to help you resolve your emotional problems, discover deeper levels of understanding and resolution, and realize more of your potential for pleasure and joy in living.
- For people who aren't interested in the somatic work, I am happy to stay strictly in a talk-therapy mode.
Relationships
- If you’re having difficulties in your relationships, I’ll help you to fix it, if it can be fixed (because relationships are always a two-way street).
- If you’re married and divorcing, I’ll help you do it as stress- free as possible. If you’re already divorced and having difficulty co-parenting, I’ll help you deal with the obstacles.
Affairs - If you had the affair, this often leads to feelings of embarrassment, shame, guilt, fear, and/or depression. - If your partner had the affair, it often leads to many of the same feelings, including hurt, betrayal, distrust, anger, and fears of being blind-sided by a possible future affair.
- You may want to salvage the relationship with your partner or to move on. I can help you deal
with the emotional impact of what happened and sort out what you want to do now.
CONCLUSION
- I see my role as an ally, guide, and navigator on your journey. I have made my own journey of self-exploration, and I see myself as continuously pursuing that voyage. I can offer support and encouragement when the going is rough, and I can also share in your pleasures and joy in living. I can help with identifying and working through obstacles, and I will work with you to increase your sense of internal harmony, to enhance your ability to relate to others honestly, openly, and deeply, and to help you feel more productive, effective, and joyful in everyday living.
YOU SET THE COURSE, AND I'LL HELP YOU GET THERE.
BACKGROUND
Private practice since 1981. Have taught, trained, and supervised other mental health professionals.
Published articles in professional journals and written four books. Presented at local, state, and international conferences concerning trauma, gay/lesbian/bisexual issues, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and somatic psychotherapy.
Diplomate from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Was Chairman of the Victim Treatment Committee of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association for many years.
Have held American Psychological Association's Certificate of Proficiency in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders since 1996.
Am a Supervisor and Certified Bioenergetic Therapist, integrating Bioenergetic Analysis, modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and other psychotherapeutic modalities since 1974.
Special study has been in the area of issues relating to gay, lesbian, and bisexual life, growth, development, coming out, being out, relationships, and homophobia.
For several years I was seeing people in medical settings where patients have been recovering from illnesses including strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or various other conditions affecting their mind and their emotions.
Served several terms on the Boards of the Los Angeles Society of Clinical Psychologists and the Los Angeles Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Contact DrShubs@DrCarlShubs.com