Expecting the Best for Your Life with Strategic Counseling
by Jeffrey Smith, LMFT , AC
The Strategic Counseling Model is built from the ground up on a five-tiered model for generating motion, creating action and thus generating healthy change. The five tiers are neural (brain) science, attachment theory (intimacy), emotional trauma recovery (PTSD), spiritual awareness and physical health (self care).
The hallmark of Strategic Counseling is its use of networking with a consortium of leading scientists. These researchers and clinicians specialize in the areas of neural imaging (SPECT scan), emotional trauma (EMDR), environmental stress, and discerning safe from unsafe people, establishing healthy relational boundaries, creating real intimacy, generating fulfilling lifestyles and establishing adequate self care.This level of professional networking includes case collaboration, psychiatric evaluation, psychological testing, medical evaluation and sometimes, medication management. This professional feedback loop is essential in assisting you toward reaching your established life goals. In essence, the use and application of this systemic network effectively role models and reinforces the “team” approach toward healthy living.
The beginning phase of therapy provides a detailed explanation of how the mind works. Your mind needs a healthy functioning brain for optimal performance and a meaningful life experience. The therapeutic process begins by identifying and providing a means of intervention for areas of neural dysfunction – defined as parts of the brain that work too hard (diffuse hyperperfusion); just right and too slow (diffuse hypoperfusion). Appropriate interventions for you may include changes in diet (supplementation), generating healthy sleep hygiene, adequate exercise, relaxation techniques, quality relationship, religious pursuits and other health oriented behaviors.
The second phase of therapy utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to reprogram faulty early childhood beliefs that all of us come to believe.
The third phase introduces a cutting edge technique for reprocessing life traumas. Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) is recognized as the preferred therapy of choice for extinguishing the anxiogenic affects from unprocessed emotional life traumas that we all experience at some level.
The fourth phase of the strategic counseling model focuses on building skills in discerning safe people from unsafe people and establishing healthy relational boundaries to make your relationships more fulfilling and less emotionally damaging. The result of this phase yields an increase in the number of healthy people you have in your support network.
The final phase of the strategic counseling model is centered on increasing the overall quality of life by building the skills necessary for adequate self-care and making healthy life choices for the rest of your life.
The Strategic Counseling Model is most effective in treating:
Borderline Personality Disorder using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Individual
Couples
Family – failure to launch child
Mood Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
Bi-polar Disorder
Development Disorders
Asperger’s Disorder
Learning Disabilities
Disruptive Behavior Disorders
ADHD
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Teenage Antisocial Disorder
Relational Difficulties
Marriage
Family
Parent-child
Pre-marriage
Performance Enhancement
Extreme sports
Jobs
Relationships
Phase of Life Coaching
School years
Young adult / college
Early marriage
Early family
Mid-life
Sexual Disorders
Impotency
Lack of Sex Drive / Desire
Overcoming Sexual Abuse
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia:
• Depression related
• Stress related
• Substance related
• Trauma related
Substance Abuse & Addictions
Eating Disorders
Alcoholism
Sexual Addiction
Professional Affiliations:
California Board of Psychology
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
The Council of Occupational Education (COE)
Southern California Off-Road Racing Enthusiasts (SCORE)
Jeffrey Smith, LMFT, AC profile
Vista Therapist, San Diego Therapist, ADD/ADHD, Alcoholism, Sex Therapy, Sleeping Disorder, Insomnia Therapy
