William J. Dougherty, LPC, CAADC, LCADC, CSS

Hello! I’m William!

LPC, CAADC, LCADC, CSS

Bill has been in the field since 1998, working for such organizations as Special Equestrians as a side-aid volunteer and Lenape Valley Foundation as both a house advisor and a Partial Hospital Program group therapist for people with severe and persistent mental illness. Bill also worked for Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia for their Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Program where he counseled adults addicted to opiates. He most recently worked for Catholic Charities in NJ in the roles of therapist for the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program working with kids diagnosed with substance dependence, as well as the clinical supervisor for their Addictions Program. This led to the position of Program Director for a number of programs, while also carrying a small direct-service case load at a private practice. Finally, after taking the position of Service Area Director, with responsibility for 13 substance abuse, mental health and social service programs, he realized that he was moving further and further away from his original ambition of working directly with clients. The decision to get back into direct service has led him to Bethlehem Counseling Associates.

The ability to provide a safe environment for people to share their feelings, thoughts, and experiences is essential to effective counseling. This principle guides Bill’s work, in that he strives to provide a client-centered, strength-based counseling setting to individuals, couples, and adolescents for issues related to addiction, anxiety, career or relationships in order to gain insight as the catalyst for change.

With a background in English literature, Bill brings a decidedly post-modern perspective to his therapeutic approach. One of the concepts he utilizes is Narrative Therapy, which encourages and compassionately challenges clients to be mindful of the story they’re telling to better utilize their strengths. This theory acknowledges the power of language, in that not only does the language we use reflect how we feel, it also affects how we feel. Therefore, the words we choose to use can help to manifest the changes we hope to bring about. The idea is to encourage the use of more positive, as opposed to negative, words while telling our life story. This approach has been remarkably effective in helping clients confront their difficulties in order to bring about lasting and meaningful change. Other approaches and techniques he draws from include Humanistic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy (with a strong working knowledge of Motivational Interviewing), Trauma Informed Therapy, Mindfulness, and Systems Theory. Some of the issues that he assists with are Relationship Issues, Borderline Personality, Anxiety, Anger Management, Codependency, Self Esteem, Substance Abuse, Gambling Addiction, and Sexual Addiction.