LMFT, 6 years of experience
Hello, I am an older adult who came to this career after a long career in the non-profit sector. Over the years, I have worked with a wide variety of clients with a wide variety of issues and circumstances. The bulk of my previous experience in the nonprofit world was in substance use disorder treatment programs. My training as a therapist includes specialized training for a wide variety of disorders. I am known for being empathic, honest and insightful and a relentless cheerleader for my clients. I am very interactive and I will offer liberal doses of feedback and suggestions. I will provide psycho-education and will look to you for feedback about how you are feeling about the therapy. We will address the therapy as a team.
During our first session, we will do an assessment interview which will enable us to identify what is going on and what we will focus on in the therapy. The initial session gives us an opportunity to get to know one another and gives you, the client, the information you need to make a decision about going forward with me as your therapist.
My strengths are my life experiences, my curiosity, my willingness to participate in extensive ongoing education/training and my respect and affection for my clients.
My practice is limited to adults who are looking for one-on-one therapy. I am especially interested in working with older adults along with adults of all other ages. I appreciate clients who are anxious for change and willing to make changes. I am able to work with clients dealing with marital or relationship issues as I believe that if one person in the relationship changes, it changes the relationship. I find that many of my clients have trauma histories and I am able to integrate trauma treatment into the work we do.
I use the cognitive behavioral triangle, the interplay between your thoughts, emotions and behaviors, as my framework to address your specific symptoms and what you want from therapy. I am trauma informed and trauma focused. I want to help you identify the triggers from your past that drive uncomfortable emotions and behaviors. I am attachment based and understand that the relationship between therapist and client is the most important factor pointing to client satisfaction and growth.
I focus on simple, practical strategies to help you achieve solutions for your problems. I incorporate positive psychology principles and practices to construct solutions rather than focusing on problems.
I help clients differentiate between the things they can change and the things that they cannot change. With acceptance a client is able to accept the challenges that life brings and make conscious behavior choices that align with their values.