Joni Levinson, Ph.D.
ADVICE
FOR LIFE
Life can be like traveling through a maze. Just when you think you have figured it out you discover you are at a dead end. You know there is a way out of the maze, but sometimes it is not as easy as you thought.
JONI LEVINSON
Adviser & Consultant
Joni Levinson Ph.D. has worked in the field of counseling and psychology since 1990. She has achieved Master’s degrees in Counseling and Clinical Psychology, and a Doctoral degree in Psychology. After teaching psychology at several colleges and universities, she recently began an extended career in advising and consulting. She is the owner and director of Advice for Life, in Lincoln, NE., which is based on a Solution-Focused approach. She is an accomplished public speaker, performing seminars and workshops for hundreds of people across the country. She believes people need sound and helpful advice when facing life’s problems. She is also a certified coach and spiritual advisor for people who seek an alternative form of counseling.
IMPROVE AREAS OF YOUR LIFE
Goal Clarification
Goal clarification is an important technique when using Solutions-Focused Advising (SFA). The advisor will guide a client to envision a future without the presenting problem. The advisor does not address your past experiences or aim to discover the root cause of your challenges. Instead, it focuses on your present and future needs.
The goal of Solution-Focus (SP) is to help you develop tools and skills, based on your current strengths, that you can use moving forward. These tools and skills may help you change harmful behaviors, achieve your life goals, and manage difficult situations.
With advising and positive questioning, this vision becomes clarified. SFA is no therapy but will advise a client to seek out a professional mental health therapist if the situation warrants a referral. With SF you may only need one to five meetings. Five is the maximum number of appointments needed to set goals for change.
The Role of a Solution-Focused Advisor
The questions asked by a Solution-Focused Advisor are positively directed with a goal-oriented stance. The intention is to allow a viewpoint shift by guiding clients in the direction of hope and optimism to lead them to a path of positive change. Results and progress come from focusing on the changes that need to be made for goal attainment and increased well-being.
The goal is to find and implement a solution to the problem as soon as possible to minimize time spent in meetings. Spiritual advising is available for clients in need of this service.
An advisor must have a master’s degree or higher in psychology.