Mickey Becker, PhD, LPC, NCC, EMDR Trained
I believe that counseling should be about changing internal emotional processes as well as changing behavior. When working with clients my hope is that by exploring the ways in which the client responds emotionally to the world around them the client will gain a greater understanding of the motivations behind their behaviors. This allows an individual to begin to implement healthy behaviors that more directly and effectively achieve their personal, relational, and life goals.
I have been in the counseling field for 10 years, the majority of that time serving as a clinical mental health counselor. My areas of interest/expertise are anxiety, couples/marriage, mood disorders, and depression. I am also registered with the State of Oregon as a clinical supervisor providing supervision to counselors working toward licensure.
My approach to counseling is grounded in Attachment Theory using tools adapted from Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT).
Attachment theory is based on the premise that our earliest intimate relationships give us a model against which to evaluate and engage in all other relationships. The process of growth from this perspective is to discover and evaluate the learned model, engage in experiences that move the model toward greater health, and practice engaging with others based on this healthier model. The result is healthier, more honest, and more stable relationships.
I approach counseling from the standpoint that growth begins by holding two concurrent attitudes toward emotional/relational/behavioral challenges. The first is that whatever challenge is present, just is. No judgment of it, it just exists. The second is that we want to change. This approach allows for a person to work toward growth while avoiding self-defeating self-talk.
A resident of Central Oregon for 25 years, I enjoy motorcycling, hiking, screenwriting, and filmmaking.