William Dougherty LPC, CAADC

Introduction: As noted by the award-winning nationally and regionally recognized correspondent, television and radio host Jim Masters (of PBS and Close-Up Talk Radio), "effective therapy requires a combination of compassion, skill set and education level, as well as a safe environment in order for clients to share their feelings", and "nowhere is that more true" than with Bill Dougherty. Furthermore, Jim points out that Dougherty "provides a client-centered approach....and I love when I hear that phrase, client-centered ....its all about you, its not one size fits all, it's tailored to you..." With a background in English literature as well as Psychology, I am unique in that I bring a decidedly postmodern perspective to my therapeutic approach. One of the concepts that i utilize is known as Narrative Therapy. The use of this technique encourages and compassionately challenges people to be mindful of the story they’re telling themselves to better utilize their strengths. The words we choose to use can help manifest the changes we hope to bring about. The idea is to encourage the use of more positive words as opposed to negative words. This personalized approach has proven remarkably effective in helping people confront the challenges of their lives to bring about lasting and meaningful change. I have always seemed to be in a helping position. Before graduating high school I started work at a large veterinarian hospital/boarding kennel in Blue Bell, PA as an animal health technician and then the hospital administrator, where I stayed for over 15 years. I decided to return to school to pursue a degree in psychology and have been in the mental health field since 1998, working for such organizations as Special Equestrians as a side aid volunteer assisting people with physical and/or mental health disabilities and Lenape Valley Foundation as both a house advisor and a Partial Hospital Program group therapist for people with severe and persistent mental illness. I also worked for Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia for their Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Program where I was a counselor for people addicted to heroin. I recently worked for Catholic Charities in NJ in the roles of therapist for the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program working with kids diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence, as well as a clinical supervisor for the Comprehensive Family Treatment of Addictions Program (CFTA). This led to the position of Program Director for CFTA, the Therapeutic After-School Program (a therapeutic group for kids ages 8-12) and an In-home therapy/case management program, while also carrying a small direct-service case load at my private practice. Finally, after taking the position of Service Area Director, with responsibility for 13 substance abuse, mental health and social service programs, I realized that I was moving further and further away from my original ambition of providing one to one service to clients. This realization led to my decision to get back into direct service. The therapeutic modality that I utilize is a Rogerian/Humanistic approach—specifically that of unconditional, positive regard and active listening—which means that I will be working hard to understand where my Clients are coming from without being judgmental. This unconditional positive regard is present during each subsequent meeting as well. Each person is invited to move through the process at their own pace, with some folks needing more time to get to the core issues and others ready to dive in sooner. Once the issues that need to be addressed are brought to the surface, they are treated through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy techniques specific to the Client’s situation. Essentially, I provide client-centered, strength-based counseling to individuals, couples and adolescents for issues related to substance abuse, anxiety, career, and relationships, as well as gambling and sexual addictions. I take satisfaction from watching people become who they can be. There is something special about that moment when a person realizes that they’re more than who they thought they were. If each person can achieve balance and make their little corner of the world a little bit nicer and a little safer, it becomes positive for everyone.