Treating My Clients
Influenced by the long-term research of the characteristics of successful marriage by John and Julie Gottman, and the highly successful therapeutic approach of Dr. Susan Johnson called Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), I am able to strategically help my clients. I have been through Levels I, II, and III training of the Gottman Method, and am an approved educator by the Gottman Institute in the 7 Principles of Making Marriage Work. I am also trained in Emotional Focused Therapy Externship and have completed the year long EFT Core Skills Training.
Gottman Institue | 7 Principles of Making Marriage Work
Dr. Sue Johnson | Emotional Focused Therapy
What To Expect
The Abundant Life Christian Counseling experience is inspired by one of my life verses in scripture contained in John 10:10b. God intends each of us to experience life in abundance (to the full). As we are derailed from the fullness of God’s purpose for our lives, Patrick Callahan is passionate about assisting clients to re-calibrate their life journey back to God’s abundance.
Abundant Life Christian Counseling is located at 212 Northwest 135th Way, STE 20, Newberry, FL, 32669. As you enter the building, you will be greeted by the staff receptionist. Coffee, tea, and other refreshments will be available in the waiting room. If you have not downloaded the intake form from the web site, you will be asked to complete the document before your first session. During the first appointment, the therapist will ask questions that are designed to gain a more poignant understanding of your primary concerns. The primary purpose of this and other initial sessions will be to build a bond of trust and safety for the client to share their needs in therapy. Clients are assured of their absolute right to confidentiality except circumstances related to personal safety of self or others.
Depending on the presenting issue, there will be a formal and informal assessment process. The purpose of the assessment process is to select the best possible treatment process that can be completed as efficiently as possible.
The length of the therapeutic process can range from 3-12 sessions for common emotional challenges. Some couples and marital challenges or deeper issues involved with anxiety and depression may require more long term approaches. The length of therapy will be continually evaluated in partnership with the client and the privilege of the client to determine.
Individual sessions last 50 minutes to allow for updating of client records and case files.
How I Help
COUPLES & Marriage CouNseling
With over 18 years’ experience shepherding couples as a pastor, I am passionate about meeting husbands and wives at their deepest point of need. No matter the severity of the marital or premarital challenge, I am deeply influenced by three decades of longitudinal research by John and Julie Gottman on “masters” and “disasters” of relationship. I seek to utilize therapeutic tools to build a foundation of connecting marital friendship. It is beautiful to journey in partnership with client couples as they utilize Emotion Focused Therapy to re-discover the dreams of their wedding day. Included in these therapeutic approaches are effective skills to develop deep marital bonds in conflict, and “re-framing” tools to overcome gridlocked or perpetual marital issues.
INDIVIDUAL CouNseling
The goal of Abundant Life Christian Counseling is to draw out the inner strength of the client in attaining personal growth and emotional health. The client is the true expert in the room to access goals and pathways for understanding God’s purpose for their lives. One of the main purposes of counseling is to assist the client in attaining goals through development of self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-confidence. Patrick is trained and experienced in partnering with the client in developing hope focused approaches to addressing anxiety, depression, recovery from grief, family conflict, career change, life transition, domestic violence, and relationship issues.
MENTAL HEALTH CouNseling
From birth of a baby to the dramatic change involved in empty nesting, many people feel surprised with the difficult and conflicting feelings of building and then launching family members. Abundant Life Counseling partners with the client through this life transition by focusing on the excitement of the new normal and the possibilities for effective adjustment to change in life circumstances.
Grief Recovery CouNseling
Many survivors of sudden loss due to death of loved ones and other emergency circumstances feel an almost paralyzing inability to move forward. Patrick guides the client through this season of hopelessness utilizing empathic listening skills and hope focused therapy to slowly focus attention on healing and new life potential.
ANXIETY & DEPRESSION CouNseling
Many individuals suffer the frightening loss of passion which used to propel them to excellence. Professional and personal burnout is that immobilizing and all-consuming feeling of inertia that drives many to hopelessness. Abundant Life counseling assists clients battling depression in examining the root causes of the mood disturbance. Victims of Anxiety dwell on the mistakes of the past and/or worry about circumstances in the future. In the extreme, anxious individuals suffer panic attacks that simulate life threatening circumstances Patrick is trained in the techniques of Cognitive Behavior Therapy to focus clients in the present as they focus on the hope of truth and elimination of the debilitating negative thoughts.
Want To Make An Appointment?
Its easy! Just contact us, and fill out an intake form.