How Counseling Works

Therapy- also known as psychotherapy- sometimes called counseling- is a collaborative relationship between therapist and client that works to bring about change and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching how to counter harmful thoughts, ideas, compulsions, and emotions that come to you and break out of damaging cycles of behavior.

A counselor may use numerous different types of therapeutic approaches to help. Many therapies have overlapping techniques and are similar to one another. As a Catholic therapist, I believe that man is made in the image of God and has free will and the ability to change. This view recognizes that humans are capable of free choice and are self-determining beings able to develop their character, minds, wills, and affect. Some of the more popular and effective contemporary treatments are:

Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) focuses on solving difficulties quickly, typically by finding practical solutions to help reduce pain or overcome a life challenge. It does not analyze past life events that may have caused recent problems. SFBT can be used with other forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective therapies for various problems such as depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, and marital issues. According to the American Psychological Asociation: CBT is based on several core principles, including:

1. Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
2. Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
3. People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping, relieving their symptoms, and becoming more effective in their lives.

Existential Therapy focuses on man's free will and ability to make choices and find meaning. In Existential Therapy, the search for meaning and purpose in life alleviates many of life's difficulties. In a world often perceived as chaotic and devoid of intrinsic purpose, the quest for personal meaning takes on profound significance. Existential Therapy emerges as a beacon of hope, illuminating a path through the fog of uncertainty by empowering individuals with the recognition of their own free will and capacity for choice. Through the existential lens, therapists guide clients on a transformative journey toward self-discovery, encouraging them to confront their anxieties, embrace their unique position in the universe, and carve out a sense of purpose that transcends life's inherent absurdities. By fostering an environment where the search for meaning becomes the cornerstone of healing, Existential Therapy offers a potent antidote to modern malaise, suggesting that in the act of authentic living and personal choice, one can indeed find solace from life's existential tribulations. Join us as we delve into the heart of this humanistic approach, where the gritty pursuit of personal significance serves as both the challenge and the cure for the existential conditions we all face.

Bill Moran Catholic Counseling

While much psychotherapy focuses on fixing what is wrong, I also help clients see what is right. Each individual is unique and has strengths and weaknesses. Social scientists have discovered 24 character strengths that make up our personality. Everyone has these character strengths in different amounts. I encourage you to take the character strength survey, and it is free. You might be surprised by the results.

Take the character strengths survey by clicking here.

Services Offered

I help individuals, couples, and families. For your convenience, I am available via secure video and in person. Limited evening and Saturday appointments are sometimes available. You can check availability and book a session easily by clicking here

Some common difficulties many people face that I might be able to help with include: