About Paul: Discovering Inner Peace
Licensed Professional Counselor, 25+ Years
I believe in a holistic approach of guiding individuals to a place of inner peace by addressing fear, anxiety, and sadness and the responsibility one has in their personal "response abilities" or, choosing a response as opposed to reacting out of habit.
I have over 25 years of experience as a licensed, professional counselor in McKinney, TX, treating: addictions (chemical, sexual, porn and internet), anxiety, depression, anger, obsessive disorders, adolescent angst, sexual abuse recovery, abandonment issues, divorce recovery, relationship issues, grief, loss, and co-dependency. I prefer to refer to them as "the human condition."
You are more than a diagnosis or a victim of circumstance and emotion. Empowering yourself to make different choices is the quickest way of feeling better today. Take a deep breath. Find gratitude in difficult times. Focus on what's positive in your life - not all the negative in the world. Practice peace and joy. Life is a matter of practice. What are you practicing in your life?
My Understanding
Unfinished Business and Choices
We all have unfinished business to address, whether it’s with parents, siblings, in-laws, children, betrayers, teachers, abusers, bullies, co-workers, ex-spouses, or people who are out of our lives that we want back in.
Over time, the baggage we carry around in our hearts and minds can overwhelm us. We create many guises and maladaptive behaviors to cover our pain and vulnerabilities. It took me a while to get here, to the place I am right now.
This road has had many twists and turns and is still constantly changing - evolving. From growing up in a single parent home, dealing with issues from the abandonment of my biological father, and an alcoholic step-parent, to my own struggles of marriage, divorce, family deaths, and being a parent myself, I know that life sometimes takes us places that we had no intention of going and had no control over.
From these trying personal experiences, I have found that it is easier to maintain a level of contentment by regulating myself (my thinking, fantasy, and breathing), rather than trying to get all of my ducks in a row. As soon as they are in a row, something, somebody, or even my own self will knock them out of alignment.
Trying to micro-manage life is crazy because the road keeps moving beneath my feet. I can be in the present and look forward with either fear or excitement. I can look into the past with regret, resentment or respect.
I have choices. So do you.
My Background
My Education and Experience
Education
1977: B.A., Texas Christian University
1979: M.A., University of Dallas
1993: M.Ed., University of North Texas
Licenses & Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Gestalt Therapist
Family Therapy Training
Adjunct Faculty Member of The Gremlin Taming Institute
* I have been involved in a therapeutic training group for Licensed Counselors since 1993, and at times, facilitated that group.
Additional Information
Lifelong Learning
As a therapist I believe it is important to continue to work on myself. I have facilitated seminars and workshops with professional therapists and life coaches in places as close as Dallas, Texas and as far away as Warsaw, Poland.
Regardless of where one resides, there appears to be a longing at the core of every human being; a longing to be heard, understood, loved, valued, and accepted.
Special Resources
Helpful Additions
Annie
In certain situations, Annie is available as a therapy dog.
Music as Therapy
As a musician, I will at times utilize music/songwriting in therapy; I use songwriting and music as a way of healing myself and others. I find this avenue especially effective with teens.
Annie