People who feel safe and trust their therapist are able to address the difficult issues that kept them from their goals.
That’s why, before we start any therapy, we will meet and take the time to talk about your situation and what my approach might look like. There’s no charge for this first visit, this is our chance to see if it makes sense to work together.
Since each person is unique and their goals and hopes are also, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t make sense for the majority of people. Because of this I draw on a handful of techniques and approaches that have strong scientific backing, the best available research and aligns with the client’s preferences, culture, and uniqueness.
My approach to therapy is built on relationships and how they influence our lives - an area of study known as Attachment Theory. That connection a baby creates with their mother is the simplest example of an attachment system and how we learn about safety and security in this world. As we grow this attachment system becomes more complex and shapes the way we approach the world. Since this happens without us really recognizing it, it can lead to problems or ‘dis-ordering’ of our lives. This affects not only our minds, but our spiritual character as well.
Appointments available:
Cost: $175 per 50 minute session.
I currently accept the following insurance:
Aetna
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
United Healthcare
A sliding scale fee is available for those with an identifiable need (disability, food assistance, medical hardship, etc.). Please contact me for more information.
Schedule an appointment online
Phone: 785-542-9110
Email: jjohnson@ananeoopc.com
“The more we try to avoid the basic reality that all human life involves pain, the more we are likely to struggle with that pain when it arises, thereby creating even more suffering.”
- Russ Harris
Along with this, we will focus on what will make your life worth living and what is keeping you from achieving your goals. I primarily use two complementary approaches to help us explore this.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) assists people with recognizing when our efforts to manage painful or difficult emotions, thoughts, or situations get in the way of us living our best life. Through the ACT processes we can learn psychological flexibility - finding ways to accept and manage the painful experiences while choosing the actions that will lead us to a life worth living.
Through Motivational Interviewing (MI) we can explore goals and our ambivalence or difficulty moving toward those goals. There are strong reasons that we act and think the way we do. It can be very helpful to explore these, without judging whether they’re right or wrong. From this place of understanding you can choose the best course forward. Your goals, your values, your motivation for change are what direct and move us forward.
Since psychology is focused on the brain, its important to take into account the dynamic interplay between the mind, body, social interaction, and the environment on a person’s well-being. By understanding the mechanisms of our biology (and in particular our neurology), the processes of our psychology, and the influences of social interaction, we can gain a better understanding of mental states and behaviors.