Karl Becker

 

MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

My approach to therapy is highly person-centered and guided by the understanding that our beliefs underlie our feelings, thinking, and behavior.

An effective therapeutic relationship, marked by authenticity, empathy, and a nonjudgmental posture, can create the needed space to address these beliefs, examine their impact on our lives, and modify the ones that are causing us distress.

My own experience of counseling has allowed me to sort out the confusing emotions that accumulated during childhood in a home where conflict, volatility, and criticism were daily challenges. As I started life on my own, my mind was crowded with mixed messages about my self-worth, the dependability of relationships, the reliability of plans, and hope for the future. In a trusting counseling relationship, I began to see a path out of the confusion and darkness that kept me from fully accepting and living life, engaging in loving relationships, and pursuing a fulfilling career. My approach to therapy mirrors my own experiences and involves looking at harmful beliefs that can limit our wellbeing and developing new philosophies aimed at acceptance and growth of a healthy view of self, others, and life.

In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar and songwriting, woodworking, and spending time with my family over good food and conversation. Some of my other activities are bicycling, running, kayaking, and enjoying the outdoors whenever possible.

I assist clients who are experiencing a range of presenting concerns including: anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, career and life transitions, grief and loss, aging, self-esteem problems, and parenting challenges.

AREAS OF FOCUS

Who I Work With: Adults

While I work with a wide range of people and presenting problems, some of my most common topics of focus include:

  • Anxiety/Panic

  • Grief

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Life/Developmental Transitions

  • Spiritual Issues

  • Cross-cultural issues

  • Career Transitions

  • Self-Esteem Problems

  • Family Issues

  • Processing Adverse Childhood Experiences

  • Issues related to Aging

Counseling Technique

With a strong person-centered orientation, I employ Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) as my primary theoretical approach. REBT emphasizes the exploration of beliefs and their impact on thinking, feeling, and behavior. When beliefs are not rational and are causing us emotional distress, we can dispute those beliefs and identify effective new philosophies that can improve our experience of ourselves, others, and life in general.

Professional Background

My first career was as a teacher in schools in Oregon and California, as well as overseas at international schools in South Korea, Kenya, Germany, where I primarily taught English Language Arts. Since then, I have worked in a community mental health context, providing individual and group counseling support to a diverse population of adult and adolescent clients.

Education Credentials

I am currently in the final phase of my graduate training toward a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. Grace College provided a comprehensive training program that has given shape to my previous experience working with middle and high school students. Prior to my studies in counseling, I received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Oregon, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University, and a Master of Arts in English from California State University - Chico.

I am under the supervision of Zoe Cryns, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and approved supervisor in the state of Oregon.

 
TherapyDani ChambersInsight Northwest CounselingTelehealth, Eugene, Anxiety, Depression, Therapy, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Life Transitions, Grief & Loss, Trauma, Spirituality, Spiritual Trauma, Career Counseling, Family Conflict, Aging, Relationship Issues