Candice Cruse
Have you tried therapy before and walked away feeling misunderstood? Have you worried that you wouldn't be able to share everything about yourself in session, fearing judgement? When we don’t fit the norms around us, it’s pretty easy for anxiety and depression to wreak havoc on our mental health and self-esteem, making it more difficult to feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable. Having struggled with alienation myself, I’ve gravitated to helping people who experience this too. Although this can be something anyone goes through, I often find myself supporting people who are neurodiverse, LGBQTA+, ethically nonmonogamous, those with “alternative” faiths, and teens. In addition to supporting specific identities, I help people reduce their stress and anxiety, adjust to uncomfortable changes, climb out of depression, and build the confidence, insight, and judgment they need to improve themselves to impact their life.
Although this can be something anyone goes through, I often find myself supporting people who are neurodiverse, LGBQTA+, ethically nonmonogamous, those with “alternative” faiths, and teens.
I pride myself on creating a safe, comfortable environment where you can express yourself freely, so we both learn more about who you are and what you need. Whether we work together or not, I'm really glad you're taking the time to consider therapy and care for yourself <3
First session
Your intake will be focused on gathering data & forming a plan of how to reach (or find) your goals, but typical sessions with me tend to be 50 minutes and conversational, albeit with some guidance. If your paperwork is completed, sometimes we can even begin some work lol I tend to assign behavior and thought based homework fairly often, but occasionally I might ask you to do a worksheet. (Seriously, this is your therapy, if you aren't interested in that tell me lol)
Strengths
I think my experience as a patient offers a level of peer support that can increase vulnerability and therapeutic rapport to improve our outcomes. This allows us to come together as equals in session; I bring theory, interventions, and skills and you bring your knowledge of your life and goals.
Ideal clients
My primary populations (who have seemed the most pleased with our work together) have been neurodivergent, ethically nonmonogamous, and/or queer people who are going through adjustments, relationship issues, or motivated to do trauma work.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
This strategy is helpful for recognizing automatic unhelpful thoughts & learning to rewrite them over time. Once we change those, the emotions that follow these automatic thoughts also change ★ I utilize a variety of other modalities such as, Sensorimotor & Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, to improve overall insight as I believe it is necessary in order to not only rewrite our thoughts, but supply the necessary data to have sustainable, long term success★
Humanistic
(Technically Humanistic+Feminist Theory) I see this as creating a more equitable and balanced relationship, allowing me to give a much more collaborative and genuine experience for those I work with. Over the years, I've learned that therapeutic outcomes can improve when the client has a more even playing field; this can be presented through self-disclosure, reactions, or normalizing experiences. It's easier to be real & vulnerable when you can tell who you're working with will be too ☆
Psychoeducation
When we know why and how things work, we can choose to do it more or less often and, if it's a new concept, begin weaving that knowledge into our daily lives & choices. In my sessions, this can range from neuroscience to various models & theories to research driven data to improve your daily life★
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
LGBTQ
Other
Person of Color (POC)
Top specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Autism
Other specialties
Anger Management
Coping Skills
Depression
LGBTQ
Life Transitions
Self Esteem
Suicidal Ideation
Trauma and PTSD
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Licensed in
GeorgiaLicense CSW006521
South CarolinaLicense 16351
Accepted insurance
Cash - $100 per session