Providing individual, couples and family counseling for adults and seniors.
Treatment specializations include
- Depression and Anxiety
- Panic Attacks and Phobias/OCD
- Sexual and Relationship Problems
- Medical and Health concerns
- Grief and Loss
- Work and Career issues
- Stress Management
- Geriatric Concerns
- Parenting and Family Issues
- Conflict Resolution
- Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse
- GLBT Issues
Geriatric Concerns:
As part of his practice, Dr. Peterson has worked for over 14 years in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), Residential Care For the Elderly (RCFE) buildings, and Rehabilitation Facilities. Over this period he has worked with hundreds of seniors as well as their families to address the particular stressors that are unique to these types of settings. Areas such as competency and cognitive ability are assessed as well as level of depression. Treatment can address cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, adjustment issues (to the facility, illness, or physical decline), chronic health issues, medication or health treatment compliance, or behavior management for inappropriate actions. Treatment can be fully integrated with the facility staff as well as family members where desired so that all concerned have a much fuller understanding of how to deal with the patient.
Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse:
Dr. Peterson creates an atmosphere of personal safety and empowerment for the client. In this setting the client can explore past trauma at his or her own pace. Dr. Peterson will help the client strengthen day to day coping skills in dealing with family and everyday situations. Past traumas include sexual, physical, and emotional abuse as well as benign neglect situations. Dissociative Identity Disorder may also be an area of focus for certain clients.
Couples Counseling:
Dr. Peterson’s primary focus is to improve the communication skills of couple so that each of them feels heard, understood, and is involved in the decisions of the couple. Tools used include education, role-playing, mutual problem-solving in session, and homework assignments to guide the couple with a framework for their day-to-day lives as they practice new skills. Some individual focus may also be a part of treatment so the couple understand how their backgrounds, including any unresolved childhood issues, influence the interactions they have with their partner/spouse. If the couple has children, parenting issues can also be addressed.
GLBT Issues:
Clients are able to comfortably address areas such as coming out, dating, relationships, socialization, sexual concerns, body image problems, health areas/chronic health conditions, and religious or spiritual beliefs. Emphasis is placed upon leading the client through to acceptance and integration along with the augmentation of life-skills. Focus may also include more mainstream social skills and personal interaction techniques.
How I Work
Treatment is predominantly Cognitive-Behavioral. Problem solving around everyday functioning is key to strengthening the client’s current coping skills, so that they feel more empowered and in charge of their lives. Once this more solid foundation is established, the underlying and long-standing issues can be addressed in a more Psychodynamic and insight-oriented approach. Treatment planning will be updated regularly so that the client benefits fully from treatment.
Dr. Peterson provides a very safe, caring, and nurturing environment for his clients to explore their problems and their sometimes very painful or difficult histories. Each client is encouraged to be an active participant in treatment and to voice any fears or concerns in a timely manner. Clients are involved in their own treatment planning including the topics covered and the speed at which treatment will proceed.