About me
Hello! I am excited to be considered as your counselor and friend! I have spent the last 25+ years counseling many diverse people as a minister, Army and hospital chaplain, and now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I hold a doctorate in management and three Master degrees (counseling, religion, ministry), but I also hold a passion for help people who feel lost, broken, abandoned, anxious, or traumatized. I am deeply concerned for the well being of marriages and have lots of experience dealing with couples including those surviving infidelity and addiction. We work to understand your attachment bond, communication style, and conflict strategy. Moreover, as a chaplain I am well acquainted with grief and loss including the loss of a child.
My counseling approach is integrative, using aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Constructivist, Solution-Focused, mindfulness, family systems, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. I tend to be analytical, curious, and compassionate. I can also be blunt when appropriate. I also try to make the experience fun with use of metaphor and visual aids!
So what should you expect? I have five therapeutic goals based on 40 years of research that works for couple.
1. We help you see the relationship differently.
2. We help you adjust self-defeating behaviors. (You may have to be ready for that!)
3. We help you re-create an emotional bond.
4. We help you re-learn to communicate toward intimacy.
5. We help you build on new or old strengths.
(Benson, L.A., McGinn, M. M., & Christensen, A. (2012). Common principles of couple therapy. Behavior Therapy, 43(1), 25-35.)
The following link allows you take a personality test that will allow me to get to know you: https://bigfive-test.com/ . Another optional (purely) is www.gallupstrengthscenter.com.
P.S. Some notes on your part:
1. Make sure you are in Texas, and I know where you are. If you are outside of the state, we have to postpone sessions.
2. Make sure no one is in the room with you.
3. Make sure you dress appropriately (casual is okay!)
4. If someone joins the session, make sure they view the informed consent and approved by working with Betterhelp.
5. When you first post, I need the following information:
A. Your family situation
B. Any individual and family past mental health diagnosis' and medications you are on with mg.
C. Describe briefly your social support right now.
D. Tell me briefly of any traumas you have in your story.
E. Any relevant medical conditions that affect your mental well-being.
F. Any developmental delays growing up.
G. Any substance abuse or addictions that are relevant for us.
H. What your strengths and limitations are.
F. Finally, more specifics on your presenting problem.
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationships
- Family conflicts
- Trauma, Abuse
- Depression
Grief , Intimacy-related issues , Sleeping disorders , Parenting issues , Anger management , Self esteem , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder , Coping with life changes , Coaching , Compassion fatigue , ADHD , Abandonment , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Services offered
Messaging
Phone
Video
Licensing
TX LMFT 202992
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Rev. Larry VanHook. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Regain might be different.
What a wise gentle man. I really appreciate his expertise and calming wisdom. I am so glad to finally have a really good therapist.
He is very knowledgeable and provides several tools to build understanding
Great doctor. Has excellent advice and very knowledgeable.
Rev. VanHook has helped me and my husband to communicate on a completely different level and it is wonderful!!
Great !
He was able to explain with paper and pen out issues vs out last therapist he just listen and did not give us any tips of idea how to work thru our issues vs Rev. Vanhook he was able to show us what we both needed to improve in our first session ! I recommend him to a friend
Rev. Vanhook's wisdom, practical tools, encouragement, and ability to speak truth in love has been an immeasurable blessing to our family! My husband and I are so very thankful for him and can't recommend him enough!
Great therapist, has helped us through a lot
Larry is always patient, understanding, and honest with us. He has been instrumental in the continued healing and growth my wife and I have seen in our marriage.
He is a great guy! Helps me and my boyfriend understand the things we shouldn't be doing in our relationship. Helps us try to remain calm when things are testing.
So far we've had a great experience! Looking forward to our next session!
Thank you Larry. He has the skills to help couples and individuals work through most anything. He is very caring and authentic in his interactions with us.
He seems to be very experienced and qualified.
Incredible.
I would highly recommend his services to anyone.
Rev. VanHook is very genuine, courteous and helpful; most definitely skilled and suited for his profession.
Larry is just such a blessing in our lives. He’s very knowledgeable and patient and has given us a lot of tools to use to lay down a strong foundation for our relationship.
Great counselor, listens well and gives sound advice. He has helped us with just a few sessions
I feel comfortable and confident in his knowledge and expertise!
Rev VanHook is doing an incredible job of bridging the communication with me and my wife. Thank you!!
Efficient. Understanding. Active.
Dr. VanHook is knowledgeable and kind. At first I wasn't sure if we were getting anywhere but then a particular subject arose and we all had a break through on the husband and wife roles. It was a game changer! He's been super helpful on parenting advice and techniques as well. Highly recommend.
Super guy
Reverend VanHook cares about his clients and takes into account every detail given to him. He takes the time to plan the best responses based on the core of the situation that brought you to needing his help. He listens and guides with respect and a caring attitude. I do believe God speaks through Reverend’s skills to help you through your current situation.
Good man, has been very helpful.
He is a good listener and provides awesome support!
Dr Vanhook shared some basic insights that was a eureka moment for me on how to build deeper communication
After multiple sessions with a different counselor, we switched over to Dr. Van Hook.In the short amount of time, he gave us such a wealth of information and guide us in the right direction. We felt like we were going in circles, but Dr. Van Hook was able to give us resources, alternative therapy modalities and an honest assessment of where we are at.
Great experience with Dr VanHook. His knowledge and attentiveness has been a blessing to our marriage. Thank you!
We have really enjoyed and benefited from the first few sessions with Dr. Larry! He has provided insightful and practical counseling.
Even after only a couple of sessions, we really seem to be making headway and Larry is good at showing us tools to address our issues.
I am delighted to have been matched with Dr. VanHook. My husband and I were blessed to have worked with him for marriage counseling. He is compassionate, professional, and knowledgeable. The techniques he uses are extremely helpful and have made positive impacts on my marriage.
Larry is awesome!
Can't say enough about doctor Larry. Amazing counselor and amazing soul. If you are faith based and struggling, you owe it to yourself to call and request as your counselor.
Dr. Van Hook is exceptional and if my husband had been willing I am certain we could have accomplished so much together.
Dr. VanHook did a great job with us. Helping us change our mindset on how to communicate and feed off of each. Thank you so much.
Dr. VanHook is the nicest man. He gives the absolute best advice and is right on point. He has helped my husband and I appreciate each other and remember why we fell in love. He gave us tools to help our communication and ReGain our marriage. I cannot thank him enough. If my husband and I ever fall into a rut again, we will reach out to him for sure. Thanks so much!!
Dr. VanHook is great and has helped us tremendously.
Dr. Larry Van Hook is an amazing counselor, doctor, and friend. He has truly helped me bounce back from a bad place and regain confidence.
I didn't really have hope that counseling would make any difference, but Dr. VanHook helped me hear what I needed but didn't want to hear and say what I couldn't say right. Maybe there is hope after all.
Dr. VanHook is the best!
My experience with Dr.VanHook has been very good so far. I was a bit nervous about the video calls but once we started talking it all went away. He’s done good for me and I look forward to keep working with him.
Dr. Hook is a brilliant man of God! He will steer your relationship in the right direction if it is God's ultimate purpose for your life. I would highly recommend him to a couple seeking guidance and clarity for their ultimate destination.
I have only had a couple of sessions but feel confident that Dr. Van Hook has an idea of what’s going on with me in such a short time. He is very professional in his approach. I would recommend him to anyone.