Nat Pacini

Generally someone enters therapy willingly with some motivation and maybe reservation. That typically waivers as therapy progresses and they tend back toward lowered motivation.
The idea is to find what made them seek therapy, where their motivation was, and build on that.
My approach is through one of the several types of CBT that has developed over the years. These are generally following from specific needs such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and others.

Essentially CBT involves the fact that humans establish core beliefs. These change and mature over time and become difficult to alter. They, if incorrect, can complicate life. Automatic thoughts are assumptions made from these well ingrained beliefs that our behavior follows from. Through whatever course is deemed necessary by the therapist, based on continuingly getting to know the client, one hopes to have them change their course.

My somewhat unique approach acknowledges the power of well ingrained and very personal secrets. I do not demand or even suggest that they tell me these. I help them at least acknowledge these to themselves and be aware of what they are. I work with them to protect whatever level of secrecy they intend to keep, and be happy that they have them.

My approach and my value system follow from ethics of our profession, that of psychology. I adhere to the ethics established by the American Psychological Association. These guide the course of therapy which is consistent with the purpose of the ethics.

I was employed for over 20 years by the Austin State Hospital. After I had paid my dues so to speak I was allowed under supervision to pretty much do what I felt was needed. I was assigned Behavior Therapy Director over eight adult units. I supervised and developed a very large group of students that assisted me in implementing and running a behavior therapy program on all of these units. This was a comprehensive program that I called The Alliance Program. The idea was to align the patients with the staff members. I consulted across the hospital as Chair of the Therapeutic

Programming Oversight Team which I had formed out of the Behavior Therapy Committee which I had taken over. I have seen thousands of people from extremely diverse backgrounds, and have conducted individual therapy with many. Lastly I was awarded Employee of the year in 2006 to acknowledge the success of my work.
I am happy to be considered here.