When people start to seek outside help for their lives, it often means that they have been struggling with a problem for a long time, even years. In that time, certain perspectives have become privileged, that is, given more importance than other points of view. Since the problem persists, that means the current understanding of the problem is not telling enough of the story. These stories are often handed down to us by both family and our culture. In my work I help people gain new perspectives. This is not with the intention of replacing or correcting ways of seeing the world, but it is about discovering new ways, or uncovering old ways, with the goal of having a richer understanding of one’s own life and the chosen values one uses to move through it.
The task of therapy is co-constructive in nature, which means I work along-side people. It is not my role to explain someone’s life to them from an expert perspective. Rather, my expertise is in facilitating conversations, and asking questions that encourage people to think about the events of their lives and the meaning behind them in unconsidered or previously dismissed ways.
If you’re reading this, it’s possible that you or someone you love is struggling with a problem that is both long-standing and at odds with a preferred life. These problems are often given names like “depression” and “anxiety” or perhaps “dysfunction” and “illness”. These names can additionally become new identities, as seen when someone says “I am depressed”. These perspectives have truth to them and are sometimes useful, but if you’re reading this you might be curious as to whether they are useful enough for you.
My purpose in writing this is to reach out to people looking for assistance, which can be a confusing process, and one which often requires bravery to even contemplate beginning. I encourage you to contact me to setup a time to have a free telephone consultation to see if I am the right person to connect with.
CONTACT
Click here to email me at barryspinner@gmail.com to set up a free phone consultation, where you can ask any questions you may have about the process and services offered.
You are also welcome to leave me a message at (289) 309-8849.
Barry Spinner, BSW MSW RSW 