Education:
Iowa State University - Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies; Marriage and Family Therapy
University of Wisconsin-Stout - M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Covenant Theological Seminary - Doctorate of Ministry, Specialization in Pastoral Counseling
Areas of Experience
More About Jeffrey (Jeff) Buikema
Clinical Interests:
Over the years, I have had the privilege of counseling people of the Coulee Region from all walks of life. Their reasons for coming for help have varied as much as their backgrounds. I have worked with clients who wanted to enhance their relationship, others who wanted to improve their mental health and still others who wanted to deal more effectively with the day-to-day challenges, pressures, and stressors. I have counseled with individuals, couples, and families. I have specialized in Couple’s Counseling. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Professional Counselor and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, I firmly believe there is hope with effective counseling. I believe clients have a great capacity to change and make healthy choices. They are resilient. Every day can be a fresh start, a new beginning.
Clinical Approach:
My aim as a counselor is to provide a safe, confidential, empathetic and growth-oriented environment in which a person can come with their concerns and issues. I tailor the therapy to fit each unique client or client’s desired goals. We work together to decide the direction of the counseling from the beginning to the end. I take a holistic approach to healthy living, and look closely at individual habits, coping skills and behaviors. I use the best evidence-based strategies including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, ACT, Couples and Family Therapy, CFT, Solution Focused “Marital” Therapy (SFMT), Motivational Interviewing, MI, Gottman Couples Therapy (GCT) and Mindfulness Strategies. I also offer a faith-sensitive approach to clients who would like to include spirituality, religion or their personal faith in their counseling sessions.
Currently, I offer both in-person and telehealth services for individuals, couples and families.
Hobbies:
When I have free time, I spend as much time as I can outdoors with family and friends. I feel blessed to live in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin where I can hike, run, bike, golf, kayak, fish, hunt, cross-country ski, snowshoe and ice-fish. For 30 years, I bred, trained, trialed and hunted Golden Retrievers. Recently, a friend of mine introduced me to the amazing world of wildlife photography. I routinely hit the gym to workout: swim, cycle, cross-fit and weight train. I also enjoy my field Golden Retriever, Jake, and my rescued cat, little Millie.