John-Mark Meulman
Counseling is a second career for me. I am a Desert Storm era Navy veteran and spent twenty years in the business world as a successful sales manager. I have over thirty years of personal recovery experience and bring many tools to our sessions. I have done my own personal grief, anger, trauma and family of origin work so I can hold space for whatever your healing and recovery may require. I show up as my authentic self and tend to be very direct. If you are willing to do the painful work that healing requires, I may be a good choice as therapist for you. With both my own personal struggles with addiction and mental health challenges, I have empathy and respect for those willing to do the hard work of making changes.
First session
The first session is about getting to know each other and deciding if we are a fit. I consider the therapeutic space sacred and the therapeutic alliance is in my opinion the most important predictor of success. I want to know about your life an experiences to this point and I will be sharing some of my own journey as well as I feel is appropriate and helpful to you. The most important thing for me is to create a safe space for you which is free of judgement and filled with compassionate curiosity.
Strengths
I mentioned I have thirty years of personal recovery experience. I have over twenty years sobriety and have done personal growth work in both twelve step recovery and counseling. I try to maintain a sense of curiosity about the mysteries of this world and life in general. Many of my family members have struggled with addiction and mental illness. I demonstrate mastery in boundary setting and practicing self-care and try to help instill these invaluable practices in my clients.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with clients who are curious about their motivations and understanding how childhood trauma and attachment wounding have led to present circumstances. I find that clients who are willing to be honest, open-minded and willing to be teachable and try new things are a good fit for me. I really enjoy working with sober individuals who are interested in doing "deeper" work in their recovery.
Origin story
I knew as a teen I would eventually become a therapist. I was always the person that friends shared their secrets with and knew they could trust me to keep fidelity.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is at the core of the methods I utilize. I believe in the idea that our thoughts become our beliefs, which ultimately shape our reality. Therefore if we can change our thinking, we can reshape our narrative thus our reality.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions115 Polk County Rd 173, Mena, AR 71953
Identifies as
Top specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- ArkansasLicense P2309009
- ColoradoLicense LPC.0018233
- New MexicoLicense CTB-2026-0543
- TexasLicense 72067