Who is Abram
Qualifications:
License # 35001932A
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
School: Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN
M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, 2011
B.S. Theology, Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI
About Me:
I’m an engaging, down-to-earth therapist who’s genuinely curious about why life feels so heavy right now. I love digging into life’s nuances and walking alongside people as they sort through what’s been handed to them. Relationships with yourself, family, friends, partners, or coworkers can get complicated quickly, especially during times of change. I’ll listen, show up, and get into the work with you because this is my passion. I care deeply about your growth, healing, and hopes for the future. I’m not your “typical therapist.” I think outside the box and bring creativity to life’s challenges. As an interactive therapist, I strive to build a strong working alliance with my clients through a warm, direct, and depth-oriented style. I believe in a collaborative approach that sets clear goals for treatment and draws from a blend of therapeutic modalities to best support each individual’s unique needs.
My Approach
Positive relationships are one of the strongest human defenses against stress, uncertainty, and disconnection. When we feel securely connected to others especially loved ones we gain an internal sense of regulation that protects us from feelings of helplessness and meaninglessness. Research consistently shows that secure relationships are essential for both mental and physical well-being. This is the foundation of Attachment Theory, which emphasizes the importance of safe, stable emotional bonds not just in childhood, but throughout our entire lives.
While I incorporate various approaches in my work, including systemic, structural, and cognitive theories, Attachment Theory and Internal Family Systems (IFS) form the core of my understanding of human experience. Attachment Theory helps us understand how we relate to others, while IFS offers a compassionate and empowering framework for understanding how we relate to ourselves. IFS sees each person as made up of many “parts,” and helps individuals access their inner wisdom (or “Self”) to heal wounded or protective aspects of themselves. Together, these frameworks highlight our deep, lifelong need for secure emotional bonds both internally and externally.
Counseling has the unique power to help us strengthen these bonds, restore internal balance, and support healthier relationships with ourselves and others. Through this work, we can weather life’s challenges, deepen our connections, and move toward a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Post-graduate Instruction and Experience:
An Externship for Emotionally Focused Therapy has better equipped me to help couples experience emotional connection through focused conversation and exercises. As an individual with dyslexia, I understand the challenges that learning differences present, but I also recognize that there are often unique strengths which are often underutilized. I enjoyed attending the Learning Disabilities Association National Conference where attendees were equipped to advocate and empower individuals facing a challenging world.
Personal Interests:
I have pursued many interests over the course of my life, from social welfare to music and theatre, In all my experiences, I have remained fascinated with how we as humans develop into individuals while connecting and supporting each other. My work is also informed by being a husband and father of two children. I truly enjoy working collaboratively with clients to develop healthy strategies to deal with life’s challenges.
