I am a licensed therapist and have been in private practice for more than 25 years. My philosophy of treatment is that most life conflicts require self-esteem counseling which includes self-knowledge, self-acceptance, living purposefully, and finding a sense of value, happiness, and peace of mind. When people achieve a higher level of awareness they are able to identify their needs and make informed choices, which then allows them to experience less conflict and chaos in their life. Therefore, I believe it is essential to work on two levels. The first level involves dealing with the presenting problem, and the second level requires looking beneath the presenting problem to understand the dynamics that created the problem. This process requires a shift in focus from the external to the internal. According to Nathaniel Brandon, author of "Six Pillars of Self-Esteem": The better I know and accept myself, the better the life I can create. Self-examination is an imperative of a fulfilled existence."