CULTIVATE THERAPY & MY APPROACH
Jon Joebgen, LCSW
I chose the name cultivate for my practice because the word suggests the act of preparing for and fostering growth; improving oneself through care and study; building necessary skills; as well as seeking out meaningful relationships and a sense of community. Cultivate means being intentional in the way one nurtures desired qualities in themselves such as awareness, compassion, and equanimity. It suggests a connection to nature and the normative growth process, the ongoing work necessary to nurture and sustain what has been created. This is my approach to and philosophy concerning therapy and personal development.
At the start of our work together, I will take the time to get to know you so I can understand how you got to where you are now and where we can best begin to move forward. We’ll then work carefully together to loosen, break up, and bring to light elements in your past or present that are getting in your way, such as:
While doing this we will take our time to ground, repair, nourish, protect, and prepare for new growth and development. This means I will help you identify and build on your many positive qualities, cheer you on, and help remind you that you are okay and doing your very best. I’ll teach skills along the way to help you to reach your goals and maintain your hard work. Beyond that, no plant or animal grows and flourishes in isolation. The final component is about building connection with others (maybe that’s a spouse, current friends, family, or a new community) or a spiritual/creative/service-orientated practice for ongoing support and a sense of meaning.
I focus on strengths and resilience as a means to address challenges. I feel most energized and at my best when I’m working with someone who understands that therapeutic work needs to be applied outside of our sessions in order for lasting change to occur. I rely on an array of skills developed for professional psychotherapy (Gestalt therapy, mindfulness-based treatment approaches, cognitive and behavior therapy or CBT, solution-focused strategies, and narrative therapy) along with the work of other teachers, writers and experts to facilitate growth and exploration. I am open-minded and flexible when it comes to the direction of our work, and I am happy to talk about how a particular area of interest to you might be applied. I am also very open to feedback and will routinely check in with you so that our work together is on track with your needs.
In addition, I love helping people through life transitions, career changes, and moving past barriers to artistic and personal success. I can help you to feel more confident in your current life circumstance and employment and help you to better advocate for yourself.
At the start of our work together, I will take the time to get to know you so I can understand how you got to where you are now and where we can best begin to move forward. We’ll then work carefully together to loosen, break up, and bring to light elements in your past or present that are getting in your way, such as:
- Unhelpful ways of doing things or habits (i.e. avoiding difficulties, isolating from others, not handling one’s affairs, reacting rather than responding effectively to challenges, living too much in the past or in your worries for the future, going day to day as if on auto pilot, feeling stuck in what you think you "should" do versus what you might like to do);
- Personal beliefs or “stories” (i.e. that you are never good enough or what you do isn't enough, that you are always the problem);
- Life circumstances (i.e. feeling a loss of meaning or dissatisfaction with your quality of life or job, transitions, work/life balance, contemplating a career change, loss of a loved one, recent move, oppression and discrimination);
- Issues of identity and LGBTQ-affirming care (i.e. cultivating self-love, deep personal acceptance, and healthy relationships, issues specific to gay men, experienced working with transgender and gender non-conforming adults);
- Relationships (i.e. dating/peer relationships, building healthy and positive relationships).
While doing this we will take our time to ground, repair, nourish, protect, and prepare for new growth and development. This means I will help you identify and build on your many positive qualities, cheer you on, and help remind you that you are okay and doing your very best. I’ll teach skills along the way to help you to reach your goals and maintain your hard work. Beyond that, no plant or animal grows and flourishes in isolation. The final component is about building connection with others (maybe that’s a spouse, current friends, family, or a new community) or a spiritual/creative/service-orientated practice for ongoing support and a sense of meaning.
I focus on strengths and resilience as a means to address challenges. I feel most energized and at my best when I’m working with someone who understands that therapeutic work needs to be applied outside of our sessions in order for lasting change to occur. I rely on an array of skills developed for professional psychotherapy (Gestalt therapy, mindfulness-based treatment approaches, cognitive and behavior therapy or CBT, solution-focused strategies, and narrative therapy) along with the work of other teachers, writers and experts to facilitate growth and exploration. I am open-minded and flexible when it comes to the direction of our work, and I am happy to talk about how a particular area of interest to you might be applied. I am also very open to feedback and will routinely check in with you so that our work together is on track with your needs.
In addition, I love helping people through life transitions, career changes, and moving past barriers to artistic and personal success. I can help you to feel more confident in your current life circumstance and employment and help you to better advocate for yourself.
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Jon Joebgen, LCSW
Cultivate Therapy 610 SW Broadway, Ste. 306, Portland, OR 97205 (503) 828-3899 [email protected] |
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All text, photos and logos Copyright © 2016 Jon Joebgen, LCSW and Cultivate Therapy