Check out the new podcast launching in January 2022!
Help for Loving Relationships
Welcome to the place where we courageously discuss the messy and amazing parts of loving relationships. We’ll get into complex problems and be inspired by love stories. Professional counselor Shane observes what helps and what hurts individuals, marriages, and families.
History of Healing and Recovery
Free Consultation
Simple Process
How Does It Work?
Getting the support you need is simple.
Step 1:
Schedule your first appointment
Whether you’re ready to schedule now or want to ask questions and see if I’m the right fit, click below. Free 15 min. consultations are done by phone or telehealth.
Schedule nowStep 2:
We discuss it and create a plan
We’ll meet and discuss your history and current struggles, then create goals to accomplish in your therapy.
Step 3:
Work through issues
Whether your journey to healing involves one-on-one counseling sessions, group sessions, or a combination, you will get the support you need to reach your goals.
Step 4:
How we’ll know you’re done
When the primary problems/symptoms for which you sought counseling fade in frequency or intensity, many clients end counseling or spread out their visits to be less frequent.
Questions Patients Ask
Frequent Questions
How do I know if I need therapy?
Just the fact that you are considering getting some professional help is a clue that it’s probably a good idea to talk with a counselor. If you have tried everything you can think of and are still feeling “stuck” in negative patterns of emotions, thoughts, behaviors or relationship patterns, it’s time to seek help. Feel free to contact a therapist to discuss your situation and determine whether therapy could be helpful for you. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others you should seek help immediately by calling 911 or going to an emergency room.
The National Mental Health Association suggests psychotherapy for people when:
- They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness.
- Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day.
- Their actions are harmful to themselves or to others.
- They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.
- They are having problems with interpersonal relationships.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy, also called “talk therapy” or counseling, is the process of self-awareness and personal growth that occurs through the therapeutic relationship. Through this relationship we can help you to resolve emotional “blocks”, to gain insight into your emotions, to change troubling behaviors, to resolve problems, and to develop skills that allow you to feel better, make healthy life choices, and experience more fulfilling relationships. Therapy sessions are held in different formats, such as individual, couple, family and group.
How does therapy help?
The therapist role is to guide you in your process of self-awareness and act as a catalyst for behavior change by uncovering ways that you are unknowingly hindering your own progress. We will help you to develop the skills and insight to make desired changes in your life. A positive therapeutic relationship provides a safe environment to explore emotions, thoughts, and behavior. It is a “relationship” laboratory of sorts; a chance to try out new ways of relating, responding, and feeling.
What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Often it is helpful just to know that someone understands. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values.
- Developing skills for improving your relationships.
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy.
- Finding new ways to cope with stress and anxiety.
- Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures.
- Improving communication skills – learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you.
- Getting “unstuck” from unhealthy patterns – breaking old behaviors and develop new ones.
- Discovering new ways to solve problems.
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence.
Will health insurance pay for my therapy?
We encourage payment from the client at the time of your counseling session. We are happy to provide you with a detailed receipt to help you seek reimbursement from your insurance company. You may want to call them to ask if your plan has “out-of-network mental health benefits” and get details about your benefits. In addition, you must qualify for a mental health diagnosis in order to have insurance reimburse you for treatment. Insurance generally does not cover relationship/marriage counseling. Here at CMFC, we offer a sliding-fee scale of $50-$150 per hour of counseling. You are welcome to contact clinicians directly to learn more about your payment options to ensure therapy can fit in your budget. If a financial arrangement cannot be worked out for you, we are happy to help you find another counselor.
Schedule your appointment today!
My Biography
About Me
I received my Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Utah in 1995. I started Family First Counseling in 1998 in Utah, which grew to be a leading agency in helping individuals, couples and families overcome many complex problems. I sold this agency and moved to Dallas TX in 2010 to develop the Center for Marriage & Family Counseling Center.
I care deeply about people. I believe that people are innately good. Sometimes good people struggle with very complex personal or relationship problems.
My 25 years of experience combined with my education has prepared me with a skill set to help people heal complex problems and improve relationships. I specialize in marriage, addiction, trauma and helping people be happy and enjoy loving relationships. I have advanced training in helping couples with complex issues such as infidelity, problematic sexual behavior, and developing a more mature and connected loving relationship.
What our customers say
Client Testimonials
Informational Posts
Read Blog Articles
On a wide range of mental health topics.