About
What sets me apart from other therapists?
I’ve successfully worked in a wide range of problem areas and roles, much more than typical therapists, and bring the knowledge and skills I’ve gained to my current work and clients. And I continue to build on that foundation.
There are eight aspects of wellness (mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, biological, sexual, psychological, social). I work with my clients to help them identify and address problems in each of these areas to help restore emotional and physical harmony.
Speaking of harmony – I focus on that as well. I’m talking about harmony between your values and priorities in life, your needs and expectations, your goals, emotions and boundaries, the various roles you fill, your personal history or baggage, different parts of your personality, and the eight aspects of wellness. It’s the difference between living life reactively or proactively, an aspect many of us have never considered.
Focusing on what’s happened to you vs. what’s wrong with you, I’ll apply my unique blend of experience, training, and skills in two primary areas: relationships – with individuals, couples, and families – and PTSD / trauma.
Our pasts can and do intrude, changes do happen, and both can lead to problems affecting multiple aspects of our lives.
I’ve helped hundreds of people regain their lives, and I feel confident I can help you as well.
What do I do differently than other therapists?
First, I don’t focus on mental health disorders – what’s wrong with you.
Instead, we (you and I) will focus on what’s happened to you – the underlying causes – and your reactions. Whether there’s past trauma, substance use, environmental problems, etc., there’s always an underlying reason for a person’s problems and behavior.
In many cases, if we don’t address those underlying factors, recovery never happens; we’ve applied a band-aid and the problem only gets worse. That’s why, at The HAVEN Place, I focus on those causes instead of their symptoms.
We’ll integrate the body and spirit with the mind to address your physical, safety, and relational needs.
Second, we STAY FOCUSED on your initial problems through structured therapy. While we’ll work together on new problems as they arise, we’ll always keep our eyes on primary problem areas.
In doing so, you, like most clients I’ve worked with over the years – couples and individuals – may experience significant improvement.
Many of my past clients initially met criteria for PTSD / trauma. They commonly improved 30 points or more compared to their pre-therapy scores in 10 or so sessions.
These clients no longer met trauma criteria and had a renewed sense of calmness, self-control, joy, inner peace, purpose and meaning in their lives.
This can be you.
I’ll always treat you with the utmost respect and compassion, but I’m also laid back. If it’s appropriate, I’m going to laugh – and I want you to laugh, too!
In just a few sessions, you’ll learn…
To live proactively according to your own values, needs, expectations and goals.
To express your emotions openly and honestly, how and when to be emotionally vulnerable and with who.
To set and maintain safe boundaries.
Want to enjoy a renewed sense of calm, self-control, joy, inner peace, purpose, and meaning?
YOU CAN!
About Me
I’m Ray Sizemore, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and founder of The HAVEN Place.
I consider myself a lifelong student. As an LCSW in FL and AL I have to complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years. What’s that mean to you? I didn’t stop at a masters degree. I average 80 hours or so of continuing education every 2 years while Florida requires only 30 hours. My current 650+ hours since 2004 include 130+ hours of post-graduate work in relationships and 250+ hours in trauma.
A retired U.S. Air Force (E-8) veteran, as I pursued my second career in social work, I realized that it takes (at least) two. If you’re married or living with someone, that person needs to be included in our work to bring about true, lasting, positive change.
The same thing applies to children. Parents and other family members need to be involved in the work we do. That’s relationships, one of my specializations.
My other specialization involves trauma. In this area, I can offer you a wealth of expertise and trauma training, including JRI’s post-graduate certificate in Traumatic Studies. I also hold certificates in both clinical trauma and compassion fatigue.
I’m one of the few therapists in the area qualified to provide EMDR (both the original and FLASH versions), a very effective treatment for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a host of other problems.
I am the only behavioral health provider within 250 miles qualified to provide TRE (tension, stress, and trauma releasing exercises), a very effective way to relieve stress, tension, and past trauma – and you don’t have to tell your trauma stories.
I prefer to work face to face with you but can also effectively work with you via video or telehealth.
When we work together, I’ll be very patient, calm, and easy to talk with – yet very professional.
In short, I have in-depth knowledge about trauma, coupled with very unique and effective skills and experience in treating trauma, much more than your typical therapist.
In my spare time, you’ll find me spending time with family, working out, practicing martial arts, gardening, cooking (and eating), reading (too much), enjoying our pets (2 dogs and 1 cat) and woodworking.
I spend many an odd hour here and there, as my grandfather used to call it, “tinkering” in the garage.
I also have a passion for playing my lap harp and Native American flutes. This photo features my double-strung Celtic lap harp and two flutes. Although I know a few tunes, I’m more of an aficionado than a virtuoso, but all are fun to play and drive our dogs crazy.
Send me an email with your availability in the coming week to request a free consultation. I’ll respond within 24 hours with a day and time to learn what works for both of us.