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August 10,
2006 Colleyville
A Colleyville Marriage Counselor talks about the top issues that create
marriage issues.
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Linda Miller-de
Berard, LCSW
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Linda
Miller-de Berard has 20 years plus as a professional counselor
including providing services for 11 years from her Colleyville
offices.
Linda's experience and professional training has resulted in an
ability to ascertain solutions in short term therapy and help
solve problems fast.
Linda grew up in El Paso where her mother was a middle school
counselor. She began helping others at a very young age as a tutor
for children. However, she learned first hand about the
agony of divorce when, at 17 years old, her own parents
divorced.
The personal impact of that experience has lived with Linda the rest of her life. As such, Linda said, "I hate to see people suffer the pain and long term effects of the breakup of family." While she was n not set on being a marriage counselor, she did elect to pursue a degree in social work. Linda said she selected the field because it offered a diversity of options. "There is work that covers a broad spectrum including Medical Social Work, to working in community settings, to work in the prison system." |
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"I personally know
how divorce can impact young people, I strive to keep marriages
together for the sake of the couple and their children."
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As part of her
professional training, Linda spent one year working in a mental diagnostic
center dealing with individuals that had been admitted under court
order as a danger to themselves or others.
This practical experience has provided Linda with the ability to recognize and diagnose mental/ emotional disorders. "In a situation where there may be a lot of emotional distress, it is important to be able to address each individuals emotional status," according to Linda.
While her practice is much different today, her professional experience provides the knowledge and confidence to recognize a mental/emotional disorder and when refer to medical professionals.
She is independently licensed in Texas and provides various services including assessments and a variety of psychotherapeutic interventions (counseling sessions).
However, Linda's practice is now about 80% marriage counseling and
she specializes in solution oriented marriage therapy. |
Linda
said her approach is not to get into every minute detail, but to
help couples understand how they can look and do things
differently resulting in a better relationship. Most of her
clients are referred to her by family doctors and through her
Internet presence, however she also receives a number of referrals
from churches and from other clients.
Many times a physician will refer a patient, for example, that complains of the inability to sleep or that they are often depressed. Most physicians understand that simply prescribing anti-depressants is only part of solution. According to Linda therapy in combination with medication provides the most effective treatment for depression and anxiety. Since people are seldom taught how to be married,
relationship issues often contribute to emotional discomfort. Linda always discusses the type of medication a client may be taking and will assess the need for medical care if needed.
When saving a marriage is impossible, or in some cases clients opt to divorce, Linda is also involved in the growing field of "Collaborative Divorce." Typically the team is made up of a two attorneys, someone from a financial field and herself. The team strives to avoid costly and ugly court battles by working together to find amiable solutions for both parties.
The top issues Linda sees in marriage problems are ranked by her as; 1.) Couple communication,
2.)Disagreements over finances 3.) Parenting, 4.) Sex, 5.) Household responsibilities and 6.) Accountability and Trust.
While the client is
the final decision maker, typically Linda recommends a three part
evaluation. First she sees the couple together on a visit to get acquainted as they talk about their problem. Then
she meets with each spouse separately for individual sessions to
evaluate and assess the emotional issues. She also discovers what
each sees as the real problem in the relationship.
Thereafter, she brings the couple back together to discuss
solutions and recommendations to move forward with their
relationship.
Asked what she would like readers to remember from an article, Linda said, "I want people to know they don't have to suffer alone and be unhappy in a relationship. There are really solutions that can change a nd make a relationship better. We can find options and choices. Divorce is many times not the answer."
While listening to other's problems, Linda was asked how did she "turn off the faucet and leave it at the office." Linda is the mom of two girls, one a senior at Grapevine High School and the other an 8th grader, she has been married for 20 years. The nature of her business is very confidential and she says that her family understands she never discusses her work at home. Linda said that while she does not "push" a spiritual solution that she is a Christian. "I believe that help will come from God, there is a power much greater at work than me; since I know that, I trust God and my clients to work toward the desired outcome at the end of the day."
Linda can be reached at 817.909.1820 or visit her
WebSite,
Click Here. |
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