As a counselor, my role is to assist others in becoming aware of their true feelings, their potential for change, and any internal or external barriers to change, growth, and self – improvement through a process of self – reflection and examination of attitudes, behaviors, and decision making. Individuals have the ability to put together and implement plans for affecting constructive and improved ways of thinking, change any problematic beliefs and behaviors, and to take consistent action in breaking through and resolving challenges and issues faced in everyday living. The writings of Albert Ellis and the theory of Rational Emotive Therapy guide and have most influenced my overall approach to counseling. Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), holds that we are surrounded by and experience situations and ongoing events that we interpret, think about, and form opinions of. Our interpretations of these events result in beliefs about the events or situations, other people, the world in which we live, and our part or role in the given events. As we develop our given beliefs, the emotions we experience progressively reinforce and become increasingly based on those beliefs. The degree to which our belief systems are rational or irrational influence decision-making and the resulting actions taken. Individuals are in control of altering their beliefs, behaviors, and the resulting outcomes through active and consistent application of plans for making desired changes. My philosophy of counseling is based on the idea that all people (1) are inherently good, (2) are in charge of their own beliefs, (3) are in control of making different choices and, (4) can independently determine and take action as part of the ongoing processes of change, growth, and learning. Individuals are in charge of taking initiative, applying available resources, and working together to accomplish goals that lead to ongoing satisfaction, self-confidence, and self-reliance.

– Charles C. Taylor Ed.S., LPC