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My name is Arlene Dunkelberger and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My approach to therapy is collaborative, I believe the client-therapist relationship is important to effective therapy. My focus is to help clients develop awareness and accountability for different parts of themselves, and help them feel empowered to make desired changes.
My approach
My theoretical approach is rooted in Carl Rogers' Client-Centered therapy which is nondirective in nature. My role as the therapist is to listen and prompt self-reflection, exploration, re-evaluation, problem-solving, or simply to create a space or an outlet for difficult emotions and thoughts to be expressed.
My focus
The clients who I typically work with are adolescents and young adults who experience symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and who struggle with low self-esteem, lack of motivation, isolation, worry, anxiety attacks, etc. due to various life stressors.
My communication style
I found that my communication style is a good fit for adolescents and young adults. I am personable, relaxed, and caring. I sometimes incorporate humor but can easily join and empathize with clients with difficult feelings such as sadness and grief.
My journey to mental healthcare
I have always been a listener and a helper. I have witnessed myself and my loved ones grow up being afraid to show and express emotion and struggle to ask for help or advocate for themselves. These learned behaviors follow them into adulthood and transform into anxiety and depression. I enjoy being the person to holds a space in their lives where they can be authentic and not judged, feel less alone, and be empowered.
My goals for you
I help clients to identify realistic and achievable goals so we both understand what we're working towards for each session. The process of coming up with goals is collaborative between client and therapist.
My first session with you
A first session typically involves an overview of consent forms, an explanation of confidentiality and mandated reporting, a risk and safety assessment, and discussing of reasons for referral allowing the client to share history and background information.
