Therapy Statement
Life is a difficult and confusing journey for all of us at times. Occasionally we get “stuck” along the way. My approach to therapy works best if you feel this way and are ready for change. Some of the approaches I use include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),mindfulness, positive psychology, solution-oriented, and reality-based techniques. I can help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals if you are experiencing problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, ADD/ADHD, and relationship difficulties.
I also can serve as a life coach if you are generally happy with life but have specific goals that you have been unable to reach or certain questions about your life that you need help exploring effectively. Instead of focusing only on your problems, I believe that tapping into your inherent strengths and resources is a key to discovering solutions to your struggles.
Research on therapeutic outcomes clearly shows that forming a strong working alliance is essential to the effectiveness of therapy. Without this relationship, techniques and models are useless. My specialty is forming an effective therapeutic relationship so that, together, we discover unique possibilities for positive change tailored to your individual needs.
I invite you to take a few moments to browse the ‘Therapy‘ and ‘Blog‘ sections of my website – www.DrMikeBrooks.com. If what I offer sounds like a good fit for you, I am confident that you can achieve your goals though our work together.
About Dr. Brooks
I earned my license as a psychologist in 2000 and have been working in the mental health field in Austin for almost 20 years. I have acquired work experience across a number of different settings including community mental health agencies, inpatient and day treatment facilities, schools, hospitals, and juvenile justice programs. Assessments have been a major part of my training and practice since graduate school and continuing into my private practice that I began in 2004. My areas of expertise in assessment include ADD/ADHD, emotional/behavioral functioning, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. Philosophically, I believe that evaluations should look at the whole person, including strengths and weaknesses, as well as familial, cultural, and social factors that influence a person’s functioning. Ultimately, I believe that the heart of assessments is in the recommendations, and these recommendations are best derived from a clear understanding of the person. The Austin Psychology & Assessment Center (ApaCenter) was born out of the idea that having psychologists with different but overlapping areas of assessment expertise is the best way to ensure that we can meet the diverse needs of our clients.
Degrees/Licenses
B.A. – 1991, The University of Texas at Austin
M.A. – 1996, The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. – 1999, The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Psychologist, Texas #31394
Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Texas #31495
Areas of Specialization
- Child, adolescent, and adult ADD/ADHD
- Learning disabilities in children through adults
- Eligibility for special education services
- Eligibility for 504 services at high school and college levels
