Bruce Craig, LPC offers individual and couples counseling, seeing clients who are 15 years old and up. He is certified in the use of Mindfulness and Meditation in Psychotherapy and approach issues with a holistic mindset. He is trauma-informed and trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Bruce is also a retired Marine combat veteran and welcomes all to contact him for a 15-minute zoom session to assess for fit and answer any questions you may have.

In Their Own Words

1. Why did you decide to become a mental health clinician? I never did decide to become a mental health clinician, it began with deciding to get my bachelor's degree while on active duty and the most interesting topic was Psychology to me so I completed my degree in Social Psychology. Once I retired I found myself drawn towards a counseling program, even then I did not really know what I wanted to do. I feel like this has been more of a calling I was drawn towards that has spiraled out of control, but in a good way!!!

2. What types of clients do you work best with? Human ones. But really, I work best with a client that has a true intention to change and move forward in life, but I think that would be all clinicians. I personally find that women in general are more open to change and I have the most success with, but I have also had many male clients reach their objectives.

3. Why type of clients are you most excited to work with? I am most excited to work with clients who feel stuck and are unable to see a way out of their condition because it is great to see their relief when they realize they are okay and to hear their constant amazement when day to day things no longer affect them, they can now just be, and go towards what makes them happy.

4. What’s one thing you wish all clients knew? I wish all clients knew how much they have in common with all the other humans around them. This feeling of commonality makes intense emotion easier to bare and increases our ability to be compassionate to ourselves and others around us who also make mistakes and suffer with intense emotions from time to time.

5. Why did you choose to practice at Pura Vida Counseling and Wellness? Mainly because I own the joint and frankly it would be a little weird if I refused to practice at my own establishment.

6. What inspires you? Seeing people thrive after adversity and come away with even higher spirits then they had before.

7. What can clients expect in their first session with you? To be heard, often this is the first time they have felt heard, validated and understood in a long time, if ever.

8. What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session? Nothing except making them feel heard, validated, and understood. There is no rush, it is that mindset that likely landed them in the difficulties in the first place. All the wonderful accomplishments will happen in their own time.

9. What should clients know about you before scheduling a first counseling session? I do not judge, for anything. In fact, I am often certain that most of the time I have failed at things and done far more stupid things then they are worried about being judged over (not that it;s a competition). I will listen without judgement and offer them compassion and understanding.

10. What do you do for fun/on your time off? In my time off I like to travel with my wife, spend time with my kids (mostly adults now), spend time with my Retired Race Greyhounds, run, read and it had been a bit, but I enjoy fixing up classic cars.

11. What’s one thing about you that defines you (non-professional)? Nothing defines me, not the mistakes I have made or wonderful accomplishments I have completed. I see this need to "define" ourselves as part of what leads us to feeling stuck. Allan Watts once said, "You are under no obligation to be the person you were, even 5 minutes ago".