About Dr. Baker

     You may have already tried working with a more conventional therapist, but have yet to enjoy the progress you hoped for.  Perhaps you suffer with anxiety or depression, and nothing has made enough of a dent (not prescribed meds, not talk therapy, nor other approaches).  I invite you to consider giving yourself the gift of working with a counselor who has provided many years of effective service.

     My satisfied clients enjoy the benefit of my unique training, mature perspective, and successful approach to therapeutic counseling.

My clients and students also know that I meet each one as a unique individual, never taking a "cookie cutter" approach to their issues.

     I INVITE you to EXPLORE YOUR LIFE WITH ME in a different way, always gentle and compassionate, so that together we can effectively address your needs and goals.  I offer clients a fresh lens, and an extensive array of skills and strategies.

     I began working in the public education arena, but soon discovered that I had far more to offer beyond the scope of that field, as I continued to add to my skillset and pursue my interest in human nature.

     I came into counseling first through having sought my own solutions to the challenges in my own early life.  I experienced several severe and life threatening traumas that continued to cause me much suffering and limitation, physically as well as emotionally.  I began to seek solutions as an adolescent, and over the ensuing years continued to pursue understanding of human emotional function and dysfunction. 

     I have studied with many wonderful teachers, including Dr. Raymond Robertson (student of Dr. Fritz Perla, Dr. Virginia Satir, and other eminent Gestalt therapists),  Dr. Harvey Honig,  Jungian therapist and student of Dr. Joseph Campbell, and Dr. Arnold Mindell (Process Oriented Psychology). 

      Many other individuals, such as my Aunt Elsie Lavender, without formal degrees or notoriety, but with a lot of beautiful fundamental good sense about life have contributed to my understanding, too.  I am profoundly grateful to them all.

     I am pragmatic in my practice; I only employ therapeutic modalities that I have tested and found - many times over - valid and effective for my clients.  Some of these are:

Active listening 

Dreamwork 

Breathing for Centering and Grounding 

Active Visualization 

Vocalizing

EFT (Meridian Tapping)

Matrix Reimprinting 

Active Imagination 

Therapeutic Movement 

Internal Dialog 

Identification and Clearing of Trauma Trapped in the Body

Reintegration of Personality "Parts"

Therapeutic Play ...

and many others, always uniquely tailored to the needs of the individual.

    We thoroughly look into what  you need;  you are the driver of the work we will do together; I am here to serve you.

     I help my students get from puzzled to confidence and mastery.

     There is no issue or concern too small for us to discuss, or too big, if it matters to you.

     I am here to facilitate your reconnection with your own inherent wisdom, power, and knowing. I will teach you the resilience skills that I successfully practice myself. I am here for you, to facilitate effective action.

     Whether you feel you being held back in your life by a lack of confidence in a particular area, or by behavioral patterns that create dissatisfaction in relationships, or by an inability to set and maintain boundaries with "difficult people", or whether you sense deep down that you are trapped by your past, I have answers.

     I also work with clients in maximizing GOAL ACHIEVEMENT.  Do you want to score higher on standardized tests? Achieve more athletically? Enjoy more success in your work or personal relationships? Whatever your goal, I want to hear about it.

     I work often and successfully with clients for recovery from trauma. TRAUMA is a critical factor in preventing us from living the life we were made to enjoy.  I have worked successfully with my clients who have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I know how to listen deeply, empathize, and find the most effective ways you can gain relief from the trauma, until it is no longer the script of your life.

     I work with clients towards Life fulfillment; discovering and finding meaning as well as achievement.

     I help couples identify and solve barriers to harmony in their relationships.

     In learning to be gentle as well as insightful with myself, I have learned to encourage insight gently as well as effectively with my clients.

     I consider it a great privilege, honor, and adventure to work with each individual who consults with me, and I look forward to meeting you.

     * * *  I always offer the initial half hour consultation, for you to ask questions, introduce yourself, get to know me, and for both of us to determine whether we are a good fit to work together, without charge.