Doug Jowdy, Ph.D.

The area of personal growth includes a wide range of issues people may struggle with. These issues are often called “problems with daily living” because they are typical to so many of us. It is common that at some point in one’s life confusion about what direction to take presents itself. This may involve deciding whether to change careers, leave a relationship, practice spirituality, move geographically, or be honest with a parent(s) about being critical/judgmental. A theme in counseling in the area of personal growth is learning to find your own voice with a capital “V.” Counseling involves learning to break away from thinking based in “I should, have to, must, ought to,” and shifting to being comfortable embracing what you “want, desire, need.” Although we may be focused on one area of your life, i.e. work, that focus will lead to positive changes in all areas of your life

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These are some of the common issues:

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• Relationship difficulties due to the fear of conflict, always needing to please, requiring validation on a consistent basis, feeling insecure, jealous, playing the victim
   

• Helping with the process of forgiveness
   

• Conflict with parents, significant others, colleagues, coaches, brothers or sisters
   

• Counseling for those changing careers or uncertain about career choice
   

• Development of a healthy identity, i.e. know what you want, need and desire versus “marching to the beat of your families/societies drum”
   

• Low self-esteem as manifested by being involved in unhealthy relationships, poor self-care, performing below ability level, suffering from chronic self-doubt and/or self-criticism
   

• Work-related stress and conflict within the workplace
   

• Parent-child issues
   

• Developing balance in life with all the demands – family, job, training for a sport, etc.
   

• Weight normalization
   

• Difficulties with physical intimacy/sexual functioning