E. Mark Sullivan, MSW, LISW-S

All good counseling accomplishes certain basic things: improved relationship with yourself, improved relationship with others and, for those who are spiritual, improved relationship with God. Whatever label or diagnosis we put on our problems, these basic human factors are involved. In my 40+ years working in community and private mental health, I have helped clients deal with the pain of low self-esteem, self-hate, spouse/partner issues, parenting problems, family conflict and spiritual issues. 

As individuals we can get stuck in patterns of negative thought that can be addictive. Thoughts of self-criticism, even hate, can become habitual and difficult to break out of. Counseling for this is designed to develop strategies and belief changes that lead to a healthier way of relating to yourself. This, in turn, can then lead to healthier relationships with the important people in your life.

Family life can be complicated and none of us grew up in perfect families, but this is where we learn many of our relational patterns. These patterns can cause difficulties in our current relationships with others in ways we may not even be aware. Increased awareness of these patterns can enable us to change and develop more satisfying relationships and even repair broken ones.

It seems pretty clear that we were created for relationships. For people of faith, a relationship with God is a source of meaning and helps provide answers to the difficult questions of life. Unfortunately, our image of God can be distorted in a way that brings unresolved guilt and feelings of condemnation. This can come from our own overly critical mindset, the influence of a harsh parental figure, or even spiritual abuse in an unhealthy religious organization.

Individual, relational, or spiritual problems almost always involve some sort of trauma that leaves us in a state of pain and diminishes our satisfaction in life. Anxiety, depression, anger, mood swings, even disconnection from reality can be the result. As I work with clients, my goal is to help them make sense out of their pain, change the patterns that sustain it, while also coming to understand the strengths and assets they have to build a healthier, more satisfying life.