Deborah R Goodwin MA NCC counselor in Winter Park Florida

Working with Children and Adolescents:

"A CHILD'S PLAY IS HIS TALK AND TOYS ARE HIS WORDS." ~GINNOTT

I work with children of all ages utilizing various counseling techniques including play therapy. Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all of which make use of one or more of the natural benefits of play. All play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children systematically address and resolve their own problems. Developmentally, play is a child's natural language. This type of therapy allows young people to express what is troubling them when they cannot say their thoughts & feelings in words. Because play allows children a safe psychological distance from their problems in the protected play therapy environment, it allows kids to find creative solutions, change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their problems. Through play, I am able to interact with them at a level they can understand and relate to them in a way that creates an environment to promote healthy, long-term change.

Working with Families and Individuals:

I subscribe to the belief that every family is a unique social system with its own structure and patterns of communication. These patterns are determined by many factors, including the make-up of the family, the caregivers' beliefs and values, the personalities of all family members, and the influence of the extended family (grandparents, aunts, and uncles). As a result of many variables, each family develops its own unique personality, which is powerful and affects all of its members. During therapy sessions, the family's strengths are used to help them handle their problems. All members take responsibility for problems and while some family members may need to change their behavior more than others, no one member of the family is viewed as "the problem". Usually, if one family member is exhibiting symptoms, stress levels will lessen with improved family functioning. The better the family functions, the lower the stress level for all family members, even the person exhibiting the symptoms.

Couples Counseling:

"Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up." --Joseph Barth

Couples/marriage refers to two people involved in a comitted relationship where both are looking for long term growth and companionship. Relationships (specifically long-term commited ones) are the perfect medium in which to grow. I subscribe to the theory that conflict in relationships is necessary in order to move out of boredom and stagnation. Only when one comes to the realization that the relationship seems to be at a stalemate can one begin to create something new and different with one’s partner. I work with the principle of differentiation – the ability to maintain yourself while maintaining relationships with others. I take a non-pathological view of common difficulties in love relationships, like sexual dysfunctions, sexual disinterest, emotional estrangement, and stalemated conflict and embrace a healthy view of human resilience, personal growth, and life-long sexual development.

I believe a core drive that is essential to human growth and development is the establishment of authentic mutual connection in relationships. Disconnection and/or chronic discord in relationships can cause major difficulties in our lives. When one is able to develop a better understanding of themselves, they are better able to experience psychological well being through healthier relationships that foster growth and mutual benefit.

My role as counselor is to work with you in a collaborative, mutually respectful way to guide you through the process of self discovery and self awareness. I believe in the transformative power of authentic self-awareness. Accurate self-perception enables us to create lives faithful to our true inner selves and in harmony with those around us.

Robert Frost wrote, “Our very life depends on everything recurring 'til we answer from within.” Like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day, we are destined to repeat the same mistakes over and over until we finally "answer from within" and come to know our True Self - free of the gross distortions caused by outdated and self-limiting core beliefs and strategies. Are you ready for the journey?