License to Freedom offers counseling services to individuals, couples, families and groups. We offer a unique approach to therapy that is based on client's strengths and pays close attention to the effects of culture. We look at problems in their contexts rather than locating problems within the individual. We are interested in the political, gendered, linguistic, social and economic climates that produce problems and cultivate resiliencies.
Counseling Services
We prefer to build collaborative relationships, we value transparency and believe that the client is the expert in their own life. We integrate Narrative practices, Solution-Focused techniques and the use of Expressive Arts in therapy.
What are Narrative practices?
Narrative therapy practices are different from traditional Western forms of psychotherapy. It is not as concerned with Western psychiatric assessments and treatments which tend to pathologize and label those seeking consultation. Alice Morgan (2000) gives us a good summary:
"Narrative therapy seeks to be a respectful, non-blaming approach to counseling and community work, which centers people as the experts in their own lives. It views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will assist them to change their relationship with problems in their lives. Narrative practices are especially concerned with how dominant stories and alternative stories develop in social, political and cultural contexts. Curiosity and a willingness to ask questions to which we genuinely don’t know the answers are important principles of this work. There are many possible directions that any conversation can take (there is no single correct direction). The person consulting the therapist plays a significant part in determining the directions that are taken."
* Respectfully borrowed from Alice Morgan's summary of Narrative practices which can be found here...). You can read more from the Narrative Therapy Centre of Toronto here... Read about work with children here... Check out this video with Stephen Madigan...
What are Narrative practices?
Narrative therapy practices are different from traditional Western forms of psychotherapy. It is not as concerned with Western psychiatric assessments and treatments which tend to pathologize and label those seeking consultation. Alice Morgan (2000) gives us a good summary:
"Narrative therapy seeks to be a respectful, non-blaming approach to counseling and community work, which centers people as the experts in their own lives. It views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will assist them to change their relationship with problems in their lives. Narrative practices are especially concerned with how dominant stories and alternative stories develop in social, political and cultural contexts. Curiosity and a willingness to ask questions to which we genuinely don’t know the answers are important principles of this work. There are many possible directions that any conversation can take (there is no single correct direction). The person consulting the therapist plays a significant part in determining the directions that are taken."
* Respectfully borrowed from Alice Morgan's summary of Narrative practices which can be found here...). You can read more from the Narrative Therapy Centre of Toronto here... Read about work with children here... Check out this video with Stephen Madigan...
What are Solution-Focused techniques?
Being solution-focused is almost as simple as it sounds....we are interested in finding solutions to problems as quickly as possible. The therapist and client discuss what has and has not worked and act as detectives to uncover personalized solutions to problems. To learn more about SFT, you can click here..
We offer affordable therapy services for individuals, couples, families and groups. We accept cash or check.
We also accept CAL VCP.
We also accept CAL VCP.
Collaborative Approaches to Therapy
Costs
License
to Freedom
to Freedom
If you are interested in counseling services, please contact us for an appointment.
What is CAL VCP and am I eligible?
The California Victims of Crime Compensation Board (CALVCP) will help victims of violent crimes, which includes victims of domestic violence and children who have been exposed to domestic violence. The program helps cover the cost of therapy services.
You can find out more here...
The California Victims of Crime Compensation Board (CALVCP) will help victims of violent crimes, which includes victims of domestic violence and children who have been exposed to domestic violence. The program helps cover the cost of therapy services.
You can find out more here...
What is Expressive Arts?
Expressive arts includes the use of music, play, drama, art making and discussion to create, move, transform and explore. We offer expressive arts programs for groups of children, teens and adults that inspire creative potential and connections with others.
Expressive arts includes the use of music, play, drama, art making and discussion to create, move, transform and explore. We offer expressive arts programs for groups of children, teens and adults that inspire creative potential and connections with others.
Upcoming Groups:
© created by License to Freedom. All Rights Reserved 2011. 131 Avocado Ave. El Cajon, CA 92020. Email: Dilkhwaz@licensetofreedom.org.
We value: Being Respectful Laughter Empowerment Collaboration
take a peak...