JAY JAWORSKI, MA

Washington Mental Health Counselor #:  LH60208284

Education and Training:
Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
Bachelor of Arts- Religion Studies and Creative Writing-1981

Naropa University Boulder, CO
Master of Arts- Contemplative Psychotherapy-1986

Experience:
I have been working in the fields of social work, mental health therapy and psychiatric care for over 25 years. In that time I have found collaborative work with adolescents and their surrounding families to be the most rewarding endeavor. I have worked with chronic mentally ill adults in both residential and hospital settings. I have worked with youth in crisis care. I have done outreach family therapy as a part of the family preservation movement. I have been a contract provider for reconciliation services. I have worked with teenage boys in an in-patient substance abuse program providing mental health services. I have been a Washington state social worker. I have been employed in therapeutic foster care.

Philosophy:

I utilize a practical approach in my work which focuses on basic skill building; ie behavior modification, anger/mood management, communication/negotiation skills, and cognitive restructuring. I try to make therapy a collaborative experience and believe clients should treat themselves as they would a best friend. My experience as a meditation practitioner informs my work and reminds me to be open and non-judgmental to the needs, joys, aspirations and pain of my clients.