Albert  V. Pohl, M.Div.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Certified Addiction Counselor Diplomate

Certified Clinical Supervisor

Philosophy of Counseling

Having uncertainties, problems and making mistakes are a normal part of life. 

     Knowing how to solve the uncertainties or problems and learn

     from the mistakes sometimes is not easy and obvious. 

Counseling and therapy are meant to help people learn and use new

      problem-solving approaches and skills.

Counseling and therapy starts with listening: 

     listening to the concerns and problems that lead you to seek help, 

     listening to the story of your life up to this point, and

      listening to the desires and goals that you have for your life in

          the future.

I focus on helping people resolve their stressors and problems through   

     increasing self-awareness,

     improving self-acceptance, 

     learning new ways of thinking, and

     choosing new ways of acting.

I see clients who are interested in

Personal Growth:

     stress reduction;

     depression relief;

     anxiety mastery;

     anger resolution;

                  grieving support;

     solutions for problems with or from

          alcohol and/or drug use,

          computer use,

          sexual behaviors,

          gambling,

          eating,

          spending.

Improved Relating to Others:

     conflict resolution, renewed respect and appreciation for

          committed couples;

              problem solutions for individuals in unsatisfying or distressing  

                    relationships;

              successful strategies for parents of teens and young adults with

                    problem behaviors; 

              supportive strategies for those with a loved one who struggles with

                    addictive behaviors;

              respectful communication and healthy boundary setting with difficult

                    and/or intrusive family or friends; and

                  problem solving for conflicts at work with peers, and/or supervisors.

Spiritual Growth:

      coming to terms with unfairness in life;

     dealing with guilt and finding freedom to be your own best person;

     compassionately healing the shame of feeling not good enough or

          defective;

     letting go of endless suffering and accepting transforming pain;

      finding a deeper sense of meaning and purpose for living;

     articulating and committing to personal values and mission; and

     exploring and developing mature spiritual beliefs and practices.

Experience

I have over 25 years of experience in a broad range of human service work, including individual, couple and family counseling; group therapy; clinical supervision; administration; training of professionals and consultation for business.

I have over 15 years in the field of addictions: working as a counselor, therapist and clinical coordinator in detox,  residential, halfway house, intensive outpatient and outpatient settings.  I specialize in helping people who struggle with addiction and other mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and histories of neglect, abuse and trauma.

I have been a Certified Addiction Counseling Diplomate since 1994,

       a Certified Clinical Coordinator since 2001 and

       a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2002.

I have been an Oral Examiner for Certified Addiction Counselor candidates.  And I have presented trainings for addiction professionals sponsored by the Pennsylvania Certification Board on “Leading Groups:  Engaging Education and Therapy” and “Authority Issues in Addictions Treatment.”

I served as the Executive Administrator of a community residential program for individuals struggling with severe and persistent mental illness (mostly schizophrenia and related disorders).

For 6 years I was an Assistant Director of the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville, PA. I provided counseling in personal, vocational and spiritual areas; taught such topics as spirituality, Jungian psychology, interpersonal communication skills, and organizational theory and practice; and facilitated training programs, staff meetings and planning sessions.

I taught English to high school Juniors and Seniors for 2 years. 

Education

B.A. Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 1973, majoring in English and philosophy

M. Div. (Master of Divinity) S.T.M. (Master of Sacred Theology), The Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 1984, majoring in systematic theology and spirituality

500+ hours of Continuing Education and Training in the last 15 years

Goals that I hope for my clients include: self-acceptance, self-esteem, serenity, confidence, successful communication, satisfying relationships, compassion for one’s self, compassion for others, courage to live one’s principles and values, wisdom, gratitude, and joy.

Internships

Community Organizing Training at Saul Alinsky's Industrial Areas Foundation, Chicago, IL (July – August 1972)

Spiritual and Retreat Direction at The Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, PA (July-August 1975; July-August 1976; and July-August 1977)

Chemical Dependency Counseling at The Caron Foundation, Wernersville, PA       (September 1990-May 1991)

Please contact Mr. Pohl for more info.