Open House - You're Invited!

Cincinnati Therapy Guy – Keeping Cincinnati Sane

You’re Invited! Thursday, September 4th from 4:30 – 7:30pm

The Cincinnati Therapy Guy Opens His Newest Office


You’re in a dead-end job; your spouse isn’t speaking to you; at 28 you’ve just moved back home with your parents; and you still haven’t recovered from the loss of ‘Fluffy’. So now how do you get your life back on track? Call the guy who’s keeping Cincinnati sane: The Cincinnati Therapy Guy. He’s hosting an open house at his newest office in Silverton.

Dennis sees couples, families, and individuals for a variety of issues. He provides hypnotherapy to treat a number of concerns including past trauma, smoking cessation, weight loss, and anxiety. He offers a variety of workshops on wellness, parenting, meditation and spirituality, and he is available for speaking engagements. He has recently expanded his practice to include an office at 6900 Silverton Avenue. The open house will be held on Thursday, September 4th from 4:30 – 7:30pm. You are invited to stop in, have a look around the new office, and chat with Dennis. Attendees will be enrolled for a chance to win a free hypnotherapy session, a $75.00 value. We hope to see you there!

Dennis is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisor Endorsement. He received his Master’s degree in counseling from Wright State University and has been working for 33 years in the mental health field. He belongs to several professional organizations including giveanhour.org – donating his time providing counseling services to veterans returning from Iraq and their families.

For more information, visit his website at http://www.cincinnatitherapyguy.com/, call 471-2250, or email Dennis at dennis@cincinnatitherapy.com and we will reply as soon as possible.

We all Need Someone to Lean On...

I was thinking the other day about the people I’ve worked with over the years – other ‘professionals’, co-workers, not clients.

I had heard when I was looking at working in counseling that some people got into counseling because of their own ‘unresolved’ issues. I remember thinking something like ‘well, I can see that, but there shouldn’t be too many of these kinds of people’.

Well, as it turns out the woods are full of them. I have attended countless workshops over the years, and worked with a number of people who have been working in the field for years, and those who’ve just graduated and starting out.

People in this field working out their own stuff usually come in one of two categories. The first being the openly weird. These folks have a number of issues. Usually every subject brought up is somehow directly connected to them. In a very personal way. They are easily moved to tears, very compassionate, and share how they either 1; overcame whatever problem you have 2; know a support group you can go to (and there are times they’ll offer to personally take you to the group) or 3; how they continue to struggle with the problem, winning some battles, losing some.

I must admit, they drive me crazy in workshops. They have a story for everything brought up. They love to do exercises in the workshop. Exercises are points in a workshop where the facilitator ‘encourages’ everyone to participate by doing something to help make his or her point impact everyone ‘on a personal level’. These people are usually very excited and look around at others sitting near to say ‘we’re in a group, right?’ I don’t mind people being enthusiastic, but they take it to a whole new level. Downright perky. And they want to hug. Every chance they get.

The second group is comprised of those who are weird, but are able to hide it somehow. I’ve worked in supervisory positions, responsible for hiring staff. I’ve interviewed my fair share of this group – in an interview they’re able to present with knowledge of how to work with clientele, clear, strong boundaries, good ‘people’ skills, and an understanding of, and agreement the company’s rules are fair and suitable. They cruise through follow up interviews and get the job.

These people begin showing their weirdness after working for a while. The time varies. I think of it as ‘they begin to crack’ and their real selves begin showing. Usually it starts with little things. Like coming into work late, which in and of itself is not a problem, but it becomes more than ‘once in a while’. When spoken to, they talk about reasons why they’re late. Never their fault. Ever. Then, they begin having ‘people problems’. They may get hostile toward co-workers, but usually not in a very open way. And when spoken to about this, they talk about how they’re ‘misunderstood’. They begin falling behind on paperwork. And then a client may make a complaint about how they felt they were treated by the staff person. And each time they’re spoken to, they have a reason, they justify their actions, or they were misunderstood. Then they do better for a while. Depending on how well put together they are, they may do well for a month or two, but sometimes they can’t keep it together that long and begin ‘cracking’ again after a week or two.

I’ve seen people like this just get up, walk out of the office and never return. If that doesn’t happen, I’ve had to fire people. In spite of all the evidence I have, in paper trails I’ve compiled, they are truly pissed off. They have been wronged, and ‘railroaded’ and unfairly treated. But thankfully, I’ve always had my ‘ducks in a row’ so to speak, making it difficult for them to logically argue their point. And I have had another supervisor with me when I’ve disciplined or fired people for two reasons; 1; a witness to report what happened and 2; a body I can throw in front of me if the person becomes violent.

Thank God I’m the sane one.

Can't Get No...

Sex – one of the most sensitive issues people deal with – either individually or as a couple.

One of the more common problems I’ve seen has been E.D., or erectile dysfunction. I have worked with guys individually and couples regarding this problem. While the advent of the ‘little blue pill’ has decreased the number of people coming to me with this problem, I still see people with this concern.

While it can be a funny topic and easy to joke about, when it becomes a personal problem it can be embarrassing and isolating. Typically the guy isn’t talking to anyone about this, and let’s face it: this is not something we guys usually sit down over a beer and say to our friends, ‘I can’t get an erection’.

And I’ve found that talking to your spouse or partner can be just as difficult. I was seeing a couple who was in a strong relationship but had been having difficulties sexually for several months. He couldn’t get an erection, or, when he did, he could not maintain an erection. They tried everything they could think of to make it better without success. The final straw for them was one evening after yet another failure for them sexually, his wife began sobbing while leaning over the guy’s penis. I try not to picture that.

There are lots of factors that can contribute to this kind or type of problem. The first thing to rule out is any medical problem. I’ll ask if that has been checked out. If not, then I instruct them to do so. A medical problem may be easily resolved. Some common medications can also cause E.D. and men should discuss this frustrating side effect with their doctor.

Another very common problem people have that impacts them sexually is stress. The thing about stress is when you’re experiencing stress, you usually don’t see it or aren’t aware of it. This is especially true if the stress has been going on for a while. Many times I’ve seen this problem resolve itself when the stress or stressors have been identified and either effectively dealt with or resolved.

Another possible concern is this sexual concern may be related to a relationship problem with your partner or wife. This has the potential to be serious; but then, maybe not. I’ve seen problems resolved when couples hold meaningful conversations. There are times when, during a conversation or over the course of several conversations, each becomes aware that there are serious issues that need to be addressed and have manifested into a problem with sex. But addressing these issues in counseling can be very helpful. It can completely revive a seemingly dying relationship.

So, while talking with a stranger about ‘not being able to get it up’ is difficult, knowing that you are working with a professional, someone who has training, experience, sensitivity, and objectivity dealing with this concern can be reassuring. I’d suggest you talk with someone.