Cassandra holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work from Indiana University Northwest. With a focus on mental health and addictions, she brings a wide range of expertise to her practice. Cassandra specializes in working with diverse populations and is particularly skilled in supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma-related issues.
Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual, Cassandra firmly believes in tailoring therapy to meet the specific needs of her clients. Every session is personalized to ensure the utmost effectiveness and relevance. Creating a safe and nonjudgmental environment for all is of the utmost importance to her, fostering a space where clients can explore and heal at their own pace.
Cassandra is dedicated professional specializing in addressing trauma symptoms, depression, and anxiety. With a diverse array of approaches, her focus lies on childhood trauma, and she excels in supporting individuals who are victims of domestic violence. Together, you can navigate a path towards healing and empowerment.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our counseling sessions, our primary focus will be on the cultivation of a robust rapport, aiming to foster a deep and meaningful connection between us. This connection will serve as the bedrock for a therapeutic alliance built on trust, empathy, and mutual understanding.
Throughout our sessions, your unique needs, concerns, and preferences as the client will take center stage. You will have full control over the direction we take and the specific areas you would like to address. By actively involving you in the decision-making process, we aim to empower you and ensure that our sessions resonate with your personal goals and aspirations.
Our overarching objective is to create a safe, non-judgmental, and nurturing space wherein you can embark on your healing journey. We endeavor to provide an environment characterized by compassion, support, and confidentiality to facilitate your personal growth and emotional well-being.
By working collaboratively, we will explore and navigate the challenges you face, enabling you to gain insight, develop coping strategies, and cultivate resilience. Our therapeutic approach will draw upon evidence-based techniques and interventions tailored to your unique circumstances, ensuring that our sessions are comprehensive and effective.
Rest assured that our therapeutic alliance will be built on professionalism, ethical standards, and a commitment to your utmost care. Your confidentiality and privacy will be rigorously upheld throughout our work together, creating a secure environment where you can freely express yourself and explore your thoughts and feelings.
I am here to support and guide you as you embark on this transformative journey towards personal growth and well-being. Together, we will navigate the complexities of your experiences, foster resilience, and empower you to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Establishing a strong rapport with my clients is one of my strengths. I place great value in creating a nonjudgmental and open space for conversations. When working with me, clients can anticipate a dynamic and enjoyable therapeutic relationship. As a dedicated therapist, I am genuinely passionate about my work and fully committed to supporting my clients. Rest assured, you will always feel heard, understood, and cared for, as I prioritize active listening and maintain a nonjudgmental stance throughout our sessions.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I hold specialization in counseling for polyamorous relationships, ethical non-monogamy, and a spectrum of non-traditional relationship dynamics.
I greatly appreciate collaborating with clients who demonstrate openness and honesty in their therapeutic journey. As a clinician, I find immense fulfillment in working with individuals who are genuinely motivated and prepared to engage in therapy, actively seeking to establish a robust rapport with their therapist.
When a client approaches therapy with a readiness and willingness to participate in the therapeutic process, it paves the way for a dynamic and productive therapeutic relationship. This kind of proactive engagement allows for a deeper level of exploration, growth, and transformation to occur within the therapeutic space.
By fostering a strong rapport, we can establish a foundation of trust, empathy, and mutual respect. This rapport serves as a crucial element in the therapeutic alliance, facilitating a safe and supportive environment where you can openly express yourself, share your experiences, and delve into the underlying factors that contribute to your current challenges.
As we embark on this collaborative journey, I am committed to providing a professional and compassionate space where your unique needs, concerns, and aspirations can be addressed. Together, we will navigate through the complexities of your experiences, utilizing evidence-based therapeutic approaches and interventions tailored to your specific circumstances.
My aim is to empower you and facilitate your personal growth by helping you gain insight, develop effective coping strategies, and enhance your overall well-being. I value your autonomy and will actively involve you in the therapeutic process, ensuring that our sessions align with your individual goals and aspirations.
Rest assured, as your therapist, I am dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards and maintaining the utmost confidentiality. Your trust and privacy are of paramount importance, and I am committed to creating a secure and non-judgmental space where you can freely explore your thoughts and emotions.
I look forward to embarking on this transformative journey with you, supporting you every step of the way as we work together to achieve your therapeutic goals.
About Cassandra Kormendy
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals develop psychological flexibility and live a meaningful life. It combines elements of mindfulness, acceptance, and behavior change strategies. ACT encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than trying to eliminate or control them. It also helps them identify their values and commit to actions that align with those values. The goal of ACT is to increase psychological resilience and improve overall well-being by promoting acceptance, mindfulness, and effective action.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In therapy, therapists use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Here's how therapists typically use CBT:
1. Assessment: The therapist assesses the client's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to understand their difficulties and set therapeutic goals.
2. Collaborative Goal Setting: The therapist and client work together to establish specific and achievable goals for therapy.
3. Cognitive Restructuring: The therapist helps the client identify negative or distorted thoughts and beliefs that contribute to distress. They then assist the client in challenging and replacing these thoughts with more realistic and helpful ones.
4. Behavioral Techniques: Therapists use various techniques like exposure therapy, behavioral experiments, and skills training to help clients change unhelpful behaviors and develop healthier coping strategies.
5. Homework and Practice: Clients are often given homework assignments to practice new skills and apply what they've learned outside the therapy session. This helps reinforce the therapeutic work and facilitates real-life behavior change.
6. Monitoring Progress: Therapists regularly evaluate the client's progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
7. Relapse Prevention: Towards the end of therapy, therapists focus on relapse prevention by equipping clients with strategies to maintain gains and manage future challenges independently.
CBT is a structured and time-limited therapy that emphasizes the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By addressing cognitive and behavioral patterns, therapists help individuals develop more adaptive ways of thinking and responding to improve their mental well-being.
Daialectical Behavior (DBT)
Therapists use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help individuals who struggle with emotional regulation, impulsive behavior, and difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Here's how therapists typically use DBT in therapy:
1. Individual Therapy: The therapist and client engage in regular one-on-one sessions to address specific issues, set goals, and develop skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.
2. Skills Training Groups: Clients participate in group sessions where they learn and practice skills related to DBT. These skills include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Group settings provide opportunities for role-playing, feedback, and support from peers.
3. Phone Coaching: Clients have access to phone coaching between sessions to receive support and guidance when they encounter distressing situations or need help applying the DBT skills in real-time.
4. Consultation Team: Therapists who provide DBT participate in consultation teams to ensure they are effectively implementing the therapy. These teams meet regularly to discuss challenging cases, seek guidance, and enhance their own skills and knowledge.
5. Validation and Problem-Solving: Therapists use validation techniques to acknowledge and understand the client's experiences, even when they may not agree with their behaviors. They help clients identify and solve problems effectively, promoting constructive and adaptive responses.
6. Targeting Behaviors: DBT therapists focus on specific target behaviors that cause distress and interfere with the client's functioning. These behaviors may include self-harm, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and impulsive actions. The therapist helps the client replace these behaviors with healthier alternatives.
DBT is a comprehensive and evidence-based therapy that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of mindfulness and acceptance. Its primary aim is to help individuals build skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and promote a balanced and fulfilling life.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) is a type of couples therapy that focuses on the emotional bond between partners. It aims to help couples better understand and regulate their emotions, enhance their communication, and strengthen their attachment and intimacy. Here's how EFT therapy is typically used:
1. Assessment: The therapist assesses the couple's relationship dynamics, patterns of interaction, and emotional experiences. They work to understand the underlying issues that contribute to relational distress.
2. Creating a Safe Environment: The therapist establishes a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where couples can openly express their emotions and concerns without judgment. This creates a foundation for exploring and addressing relationship challenges.
3. Identifying Negative Interaction Patterns: The therapist helps couples identify the negative interaction patterns that contribute to their relationship distress. These patterns often involve cycles of blame, criticism, defensiveness, or withdrawal. By recognizing these patterns, couples gain insight into their dynamics.
4. Emotion Exploration: EFT emphasizes the exploration and understanding of each partner's underlying emotions and attachment needs. The therapist helps couples identify and express vulnerable emotions, such as fear, sadness, or longing, that may be driving their negative interaction patterns.
5. Promoting Emotional Responsiveness: Through guided interventions, the therapist helps couples develop greater emotional responsiveness and attunement to each other's needs. This involves fostering empathy, validation, and support in the relationship.
6. Restructuring Interaction Patterns: With the therapist's guidance, couples learn new ways of interacting and communicating that promote emotional safety and connection. They practice healthier communication techniques and develop strategies to break free from negative cycles.
7. Consolidating Changes: The therapist helps couples consolidate the positive changes by reinforcing new patterns of relating, enhancing emotional intimacy, and solidifying the security of their attachment bond.
EFT focuses on reshaping the emotional dynamics within a relationship, with the ultimate goal of creating a secure and satisfying connection between partners. By addressing emotional needs and promoting healthier communication, EFT therapy aims to improve relationship satisfaction and overall well-being for couples.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes hypnosis to facilitate psychological change and promote well-being. Here's how hypnotherapy is typically used in therapy:
1. Establishing Rapport: The hypnotherapist establishes a trusting and collaborative relationship with the client, creating a safe space for exploration and therapeutic work.
2. Assessing Goals and Concerns: The therapist works with the client to identify their specific goals, concerns, and areas of focus for the hypnotherapy sessions.
3. Induction: The therapist guides the client into a state of hypnotic trance through relaxation techniques, focused attention, and suggestion. This trance state is characterized by deep relaxation, heightened focus, and increased openness to suggestions.
4. Utilizing Suggestion: While the client is in a hypnotic trance, the therapist delivers therapeutic suggestions aimed at promoting positive changes, addressing specific issues, and reinforcing desired behaviors or beliefs. These suggestions can help modify thought patterns, alleviate symptoms, or enhance motivation.
5. Regression and Exploration: In some cases, the therapist may guide the client to explore past experiences or memories that may be relevant to their current concerns. This can help uncover underlying issues, gain insight, and facilitate healing or resolution.
6. Skill Building and Visualization: Hypnotherapy may involve teaching clients self-hypnosis techniques or visualization exercises to empower them to continue the therapeutic work outside of sessions. These practices can enhance relaxation, manage stress, or reinforce positive changes.
7. Integration and Follow-up: After the hypnotherapy session, the therapist engages in discussion and reflection with the client to process their experiences, reinforce insights, and address any questions or concerns. Follow-up sessions may be scheduled to monitor progress and provide ongoing support.
