All about Thought Perspectives Counseling, PLLC.

Thought Perspectives is a private practice that provides counseling and psychotherapy for people who are experiencing emotional problems, relationship issues and mental health difficulties. My name is Nathan M. Comerford and I am a psychotherapist as well as the owner and creator of Thought Perspectives. The information below will give you an idea of my approach to counseling and psychotherapy as well as my training and experience.

Why I Chose to Become A Psychotherapist.

The decision to become a psychotherapist was not a difficult one. I believe that I have an innate ability to listen to and understand people and to put myself in their shoes. It almost seems as if the mental health profession chose me and not the other way around. Almost as far back as I can remember, people have opened up to me about their personal problems. I have always been described as easy to talk to, trustworthy, a good listener and someone who genuinely cares about people. My training and experience in psychotherapy has helped me to harness those traits and use them more effectively

My Approach to Counseling & Psychotherapy

The most important aspect of counseling or psychotherapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. No matter which therapist someone decides to see, the relationship needs to be emphasized more than anything else including the theoretical approach of the therapist. As a matter of fact, several research studies have shown that counseling/therapy is effective regardless of the type of theoretical approach being used; it is the quality of the therapist and the relationship between the therapist and the client that makes the most significant difference.

That is why I make every effort to understand where clients are coming from and to see the world through their eyes. I believe that the client will only make progress when they feel they can truly trust their counselor or therapist and know that they are being accurately understood.

My overall approach involves more traditional methods of talk therapy. I assist individuals, couples, and families by helping them to talk through their issues, to understand their problems, and to express their feelings in a healthy manner. This in turn can assist in changing unwanted negative feelings or behaviors directed towards oneself or others. I choose not to adhere to one particular treatment modality or theoretical basis. I feel that adhering to one theory can be limiting to the counseling process and to the treatment of the client. My approach is an integrative one that involves appropriating ideas and principles from several different theories including existential analysis, psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioral as well as some of my own theories. I will use principles of particular theories where I feel they would work best with each individual, couple or family. In other words, I customize the counseling sessions to fit the needs of my clients. I feel that this method is more effective than only using one modality.

Training & Experience

I received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. I am licensed in the State of Michigan as a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) and also hold the credential of a National Certified Counselor (N.C.C.) which required taking an exam to prove my comprehensive knowledge in the national counseling arena. I have been in the mental health field since 2000 with experience working in various outpatient clinics, private practices and inpatient psychiatric hospital settings. This myriad of work experience has enabled me to understand how to treat people coming from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of emotional and mental health issues. For more detailed information on my training and experience, click here. (link to Curriculum Vitae). I work with people of all different religious and cultural backgrounds and take time to understand their background if I am unfamiliar with it.  This helps me to help them more effectively.