GORDON A. GUNNELL, MS, PLC

Counseling/Therapy Approach

In determining how helpful therapy will be to you, very good research shows that when selecting a therapist, the first impressions you have about the therapist and the rapport that you develop with the therapist in the first couple of sessions, is the single most important factor used in assessing the helpfulness of therapy. Therapy is more likely to be helpful to you if you have confidence in and follow your impressions.

In times of difficulty, challenge, and/or distress, I take the view that life is asking us to learn something that CAN ultimately be for our good.  There is little we can do about what others do, but much we can do about what we do in response to what others do. We have inherent ability to influence our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behavior. The process of learning how is not impossible. When we acknowledge that change is a process, and commit ourselves to that process, we are accepting our human limitations--that we don't know everything. When we do that, and are willing to learn and try something different, we feel empowered, confident, and happy as we act on that willingness. Often, we do this process on our own, without the help of professionals. Sometimes, however, individual and/or relationship problems overwhelm us. As things seem to get worse, we often panic, become frustrated, angry, depressed. We try harder, put increasing amounts of effort into changing the situation. But the problem(s) often seem to worsen, or at least they don't seem to get any better. We may begin to lose hope and confidence when our own efforts at changing ourselves, our relationships, or our circumstances are ineffective. Some describe it as being "stuck".  When "stuck", we may experience many distressing emotions--symptoms that are associated with such terms as anxiety, depression, grief, anger, resentment, helplessness, and many others. Sometimes, we try to cope when we are discouraged. Coping is a good way to deal with something that cannot be changed. But if change is possible, and our lack of knowing how to do it is what stands in the way of change, coping can unintentionally become a way of avoiding what we must learn and do to effect change. By indentifying what keeps us stuck in the distress and unhappiness, however, we can and do experience new perspectives, permitting previously unknown solutions to emerge.

Accordingly, and because I have been trained in a research-based clinical program, I use scientifically valid and reliable therapy and counseling approaches that are known to help couples, families, and individuals experience change. Among these are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), brief solution focused therapy (BST), and emotion focused therapy (EFT). I also incorporate mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment ideals into therapy, known to encourage and permit desireable change.

As a RELATIONSHIP THERAPIST, with more than 3 years of clinical training under the direct supervison of Dr. William A. Griffin, post-doctoral fellow of Dr. John M. Gottman, I am respectfully passionate about helping you understand how to think of and observe youselves as CO-CREATORS of your relationship (as opposed to being IN a relationship), and to think and act in ways that allow you to feel less distant, and more emotionally connected in your relationship. This includes knowing how to interrupt and prevent the negative ways you perceive, experience, and interact with each other -- the most destructive of all influences on present and future marital happiness. In MARRIAGE THERAPY, I take a balanced, pro-commitment stance, meaning that staying together is a desirable outcome unless there is a compelling reason not to. If you are UNDECIDED about your commitment to a spouse or partner, I can help you discover the factors that keep you stuck in indecision. If your family has experienced DIVORCE, I can help you and/or your children successfully adjust to the changes brought about by family dissolution and separation.

As an INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST, I understand how to help you reduce stress, anxiety, panic, depression, anger, PTSD, grief/loss, obsessive and/or compulsive behaviors, and other high intensity emotions that interfere with your ability to pursue and achieve your goals in life. From both individual, couple, and family perspectives, if you struggle with ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS, I can help you find ways of controlling the addictive "pull" of  drug/alcohol, gambling, sex, pornography, and other habits that interfere with your ability to pursue and achieve what is important to you in your life. 

I am happy to spend a few minutes with you to discuss any questions you may have. Please call 480-220-7050 for a FREE 10 MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION. I take all calls personally, and I DO RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. If I do not answer when you call, please leave your name and call-back number on my voicemail, along with the ideal time(s) for me to return you call. If I am not in session with clients during the times you suggest, I will attempt to return your call at those times. Otherwise, I WILL return your call later in the evening, or the following morning.

Gordon A. Gunnell, MS, PLC
15215 South 48th Street
Suite 116
Phoenix, AZ 85044
(480) 220-7050
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