About
Thought Perspectives Counseling is a private practice that provides counseling and psychotherapy for people who are experiencing emotional problems, relationship issues or struggles with the pitfalls of everyday life. My name is Nathan M. Comerford and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as the owner of Thought Perspectives. The information below will give you an idea of my approach to counseling and psychotherapy as well as my training and experience.
Why I Chose to Become A Counselor
The decision to become a counselor was not a difficult one. I have always had the abilities to listen to people, to understand their emotions, and to put myself in their shoes so to speak. It almost seems as if the counseling profession chose me and not the other way around. Almost as far back as I can remember, people have opened up to me about their personal problems. I have always been described as easy to talk to, trustworthy, a good listener and someone who genuinely cares about people. My extensive training and experience in counseling and psychotherapy has helped me to harness those traits and use them more effectively.
My Approach To Counseling & Psychotherapy
The most important part of counseling and psychotherapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. No matter which therapist you decide to see, the relationship needs to be emphasized more than anything else, including the treatment approach of the therapist. As a matter of fact, several research studies have shown that counseling and therapy is effective regardless of the type of treatment approach being used; it is the quality of the therapist and the relationship between you and your therapist that makes the most significant difference. This is why I make every effort to put myself in the shoes of my clients and to see the world through their eyes. Clients will only make progress in counseling if they can trust their counselor and know that they are being accurately understood. Therefore, my first goal with any new client is to create a trusting and workable relationship with them.
Once the relationship is established, the process really starts to work and clients start to see improvement much more quickly. After establishing a relationship, I assist people, just like yourself, by helping them to talk through their issues, understand their problems, and express their feelings in a healthy manner. This in turn will assist in changing their unwanted feelings or behaviors that may be directed toward oneself or others.
Empathizing with my clients and getting them to express their feelings in a healthy way is only part of what I help my clients to do. The other part of my approach sometimes involves being more directive in helping people to resolve the problems they come in with. I will often take clients through exercises designed to promote emotional healing and/or change their thoughts and feelings toward themselves and others. Sometimes, the actions and reactions of my clients need changing. In this case, I will challenge them to think outside of the box and to try some things differently.
My treatment approach to counseling and therapy is an integrative one that involves appropriating ideas and principles from several different theories including, but not limited to, existential analysis, psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-systems theory as well as some of my own theories. I will use principles of particular theories where I feel they would work best with each individual, couple or family. In other words, I customize the sessions to fit the needs of my clients. I feel that adhering to one treatment approach is too limiting to the counseling process and to the healing and recovery of my clients, which is why I choose an integrative treatment approach.
Training & Experience
My formal education includes a Master of Arts in Counseling from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. My continuing education is a frequent and everlasting endeavor to improve my knowledge and understanding of the human psyche and how treat the emotional and psychological problems that people experience. It is my personal mission to continue to advance my knowledge through continuing education courses, certifications & specializations, and college degrees in order to keep myself updated with the current advances in my field and to maintain a positive learning curve.
Professional Licenses & Credentials
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Michigan (license# 6401010507). You can verify my state license through Michigan's LARA (Licensing And Regulatory Affairs). I hold the credential of National Certified Counselor (NCC), which required taking an exam to prove my comprehensive knowledge in the national counseling arena through the National Board of Certified Counselors. This certification can be verified on the NCC website.
If you would like a complete list of my training, experience and continuing education, you can request my Curriculum Vitae.
Christian Counseling
Christian counseling and psychotherapy implements traditional philosophies and techniques from counseling and psychotherapy as well as Biblical principles and theology from a Christian perspective. Christian counseling and psychotherapy emphasize and encourage adherence to Biblical principles, Christian spirituality and the Christian way of life. Christians who may be struggling with emotional difficulties, mental health problems or relationship issues will not only receive professional therapeutic assistance for those issues but, will also learn how to manage or overcome them in a way that is congruent with their Christian belief system.
Christian counseling and secular counseling share similar desires to assist people in overcoming their problems. They both strive to help people find meaning and joy in their lives and to become healthy and well-adjusted individuals both psychologically and emotionally.