The Grounding Center offers counseling for individuals, couples, and families. Counseling in Spanish is also available (se habla Espaņol).
CREDENTIALS
The GC is staffed by two licensed therapists: Dana Baduna (Ph.D., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and Alex Chapunoff (M.S., Licensed Mental Health Counselor) with 27 years of combined post-Master's professional experience.
The initial visit typically includes a brief assessment of the presenting concerns as we try to get a better understanding of the person's stressors, inner strengths, and personal resources. We collaborate with our clients in establishing a plan of action for future visits.
ABOUT OUR PROFESSIONAL STYLES
DANA BADUNA:
My training as a therapist is in post-modern therapy modalities and my style follows a solution-oriented systemic approach. What this means is that I approach each individual or family with a sense of curiosity as I try to develop an understanding of their unique struggles, traumas or difficulties. Although the clinical work focuses on staying present-focused, my interventions and questions integrate resolutions that involve both a person's past and future experiences.
My post-graduate studies grounded me deeper into the family therapy field. My research focused on learning about the creative process of how people can successfully manage personal trauma and professional distress. Learning to balance work and life is a journey that brings continuing challenges for everyone and requires an ongoing revision of our goals and priorities.
I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist and State-approved clinical supervisor with 14 years of clinical experience. In my practice I address behavioral, emotional and marital issues involving children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Working through difficulties with a professional therapist is like having a guide to show you new approaches, eliminate what doesn't work and do more of what brings you personal and professional happiness. I practice Aikido and actively support principles that are mindful of the unity of body, mind and spirit.
ALEX CHAPUNOFF:
More than just an intellectual endeavor, counseling is a special experience. To me, therapy is a place where clients can begin to enrich their own understanding and perspective. When that happens, the nature of their problems begins to change, appearing more as solutions in disguise. When a client then agrees on the ideas or exercises that are helpful, he or she tries them and sees how they work. This often further reinforces the desire to improve. The process itself is an exploration and can be as interesting as it is rewarding.
My specialty is to closely listen to my clients and acknowledge where they want to be as people. The next step is to figure out what changes will bring about the desired goal or goals. Considering the client's views and feelings is key and my job is to translate these into opportunities. Other useful tools I use include guided relaxation and hypnotherapy.
Unhappiness is often a sign that we have outgrown our old habits of living but haven't realized it yet. So we drag these old ways with us and they become a burden. Counseling is a setting for realizing the necessary changes and learning how to carry them out. When clients work on this in a helpful, supportive environment, they can experience satisfaction and relief as well as a renewed feeling for their potential.
