I am a licensed psychotherapist providing individual, family, adolescent and child therapy. I will collaborate with you to identify your goals and learn what is getting in the way of your sense of well-being. We can work together to support your strengths while addressing the issues that are causing you problems. I provide an environment conducive to discussing difficult issues and exploring creative possibilities for change.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session I will answer any questions you have, and to hear what brings you to therapy. In my experience, mutual trust is the mainstay of a successful clinical relationship; I am also aware that successful therapy involves a certain "chemistry" between client and therapist. You will know if we are a good fit or not, and if not, I will be able to help find a new clinician.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have received encouraging feedback describing me as open, compassionate, warm, and "easy to talk to." Throughout my life, I've been told that I'm a good listener, but it was not until grad school that I learned how to turn that quality into something far more valuable. I've learned when to ask deep questions, when to stay quiet and allow the client lead the way to the heart of the matter. The art of therapy is knowing when to lead and when to follow - what threads to pull on to uncover important patterns.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Having been able to support people who have experienced trauma, I can provide sufficient grounding and empathy to create space for the sharing of triggering experiences. The safe space I provide allows people to openly and frankly discuss their experience, without the distracting fear of shocking me. Articulating events often has the effect of lessening the grip of graphic memories and/or reconstructing your memories in a more useful ways.
About Deb McNeil
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Attachment-based
Early attachment history often informs our relational styles later in life - including problematic and unhelpful ways of interpreting perceived clues of impending rejection, intrusion, or outright abandonment. While being alert to subtle signals is not necessarily problematic, our reaction to the perceived threats often prompt certain unhelpful protective mechanisms to arise. An example may be a raised eyebrow, a momentary glance away, a hurried response - may be seen as disrespect or disdain which triggers an exaggerated reaction which worsens the interaction. Understanding our own attachment wounds helps us take a breath to zoom out and thoughtfully respond v. instantly react.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT techniques can retrain our brains to avoid instant reactions, and instead, to take a mindful breath to calm our nervous systems and consider a thoughtful response. Instant reaction is a built-in instinct designed to keep us safe - essential in some cases. A thoughtful response requires a moment of reflection in which to consider the evidence pointing to the conclusion that the speaker actually intends to harm us. Might it be that they've just gotten upsetting news, have a serious migraine, sick child, argument with their boss, their partner? In other words, what you understand as negativity focused on you, may have little (or nothing) to do with their feelings about you.
Grief Therapy
Because grief is uniquely individual - and uniquely final, people often focus on unfinished business, regret and frustration at the impossibility of repairing relationships or strengthening good relationships. Therapy can be valuable in acknowledging and validating the overwhelming sadness regarding lost opportunities - things left unsaid, plans left unfulfilled. This can also be an opportunity to revisit and remember important positive moments, and to re-tell important stories.