

Hello there, I'm here because this thing called life didn't come with a handbook and I'm guessing your are here for the same. Life can get dark, ugly, and make you feel like the walls are caving in. My goal is to promote wellness, growth, and a healthy life by challenging negative thought patterns, habits, and discovering underlying trauma. Take the first step by reaching out. I'll take the second step by meeting you in the center. You are not alone; I'm here for the hard stuff.
Greetings. My name is Dennis Steelman. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). I carry two professional certifications in Mental Health Teletherapy (CTMH), and as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I hold a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling and a Master’s Degree in Addictions Counseling. I obtained both graduate degrees from Liberty University.
My approach to therapy is mainly through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). CBT is a highly effective modality of treatment that is aimed at correcting negative beliefs and identifying negative thoughts. This is of course an oversimplification of CBT but illustrates the crux of what CBT looks like. EMDR is a highly effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related illnesses. EMDR is a specialized form of treatment that has been proven to not only be effective for the treatment of trauma, but emerging research also suggests EMDR is highly effective in the treatment of a wide array of illnesses.
I believe that therapy should carry certain expectations, just like any other form of treatment. An individual coming into treatment should expect to see positive results. An individual coming into treatment should expect to see progress in their treatment through a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client.
I chose to specialize in the treatment of trauma and related negative life events because of the damage they can do to the individual. It is my experience that those who have endured harmful life events are often locked into a pattern of negative thinking, believing, and behavior. I look forward to working with those individuals looking to break free of those patterns.
After 18 years as a hospital-based pediatrician, my practice is now dedicated to promoting adult mental health and wellness through counseling and psychotherapy. In 2022 I founded PADMA Counseling, PLLC, which provides individual telehealth services to adults 18-64 in Texas. PADMA, the Sanskrit word for "lotus," is an acronym for the principles that guide my clinical practice and daily life: Positivity, Authenticity, Development & Growth, Mutuality, and Appreciation & Gratitude.
I strive for creating the conditions were humans can regain their curiosity, hope, and a new interactional perspective of themselves. Having also also known love, generosity, tolerance, respect and solidarity. I reject the need for cynicism: under the right conditions one can comfortably adhere to the unconditional confidence in the human potential for self-understanding, tolerance and positive change.
Please visit my website at: www.healingmarriagedallas.com


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