ADDICTIONS

I have spent many years working with those suffering with addictions and substance abuse. I can stand as a guide in the uncharted waters of sobriety, or of dealing with life without drugs or alcohol. Using the stages of change model you can begin to let go of whatever is your addiction and build a foundation where you have the tools to stay addiction free. You can begin to live a new life and start to repair damaged relationships and careers. You can address the shame and the self loathing that you may carry. I can make a determination if more intensive services are needed.

Michael S. Astor M.A. LCSW, Psychotherapy

RELATIONSHIPSTitle

Relationships are where the "pedal hits the medal" for most of us. We are struggling with our marriage, having difficulty holding onto or starting relationships. We may feel like no one lives up to our expectations, or that we are not good enough to get what we need in a relationship. We may feel unheard or have difficulty communicating our needs, or even knowing what we need. I can help you to see the patterns that have influenced you, to learn to be more accepting of yourself and the other.

We can learn better skills for clearer communication. I work with couples using communication and listening skills that reduce the anger and allow each to be heard and understood.

PARENTINGTitle

We spend years in school learning math, chemistry, history etc., but the skill we need the most we are not taught and that is PARENTING! We have children and are often "flying by the seat of our pants" when it comes to knowing how to relate to our children and how to give them the skills to navigate in their own lives. I can help you to learn the skills needed to make child rearing more rewarding and fun for both you and your children. I can help you to be more comfortable with the inevitable uncertainties of the daily decisions you make as a parent, and the anxieties and fears you carry about yourself and your children. Sometimes when needed I will suggest family work, sometimes just the parents and sometimes just one parent. Positive changes can happen in many ways.

MIDLIFE CHANGES

As you age and move into midlife and past you face a different set of challenges, your body needs more maintenance, your relationships change, your goals change, you begin to realize that some of the dreams of your past will not happen as hoped or planned. Maybe you start to think about how you want the rest of your life to be, or maybe you have deep fears and uncertainty about the future. I can help you as I have done myself to make a midlife crisis into a midlife opportunity