My name is Trina McDonald and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and I have certification as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. I have experience working with various populations through my employment with Social Services, The Division of Prisons, Camp Lejeune Military Base, Outpatient Treatment Facilities, and as a State Certified HIV Case Manager. I work in partnership with the client to impact change using an eclectic approach foundationally based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. My interests include reading, meeting new people, traveling, and watching television the 70's, 80's and 90's. I My favorite quote comes from Mark Twain who wrote, "There are two important days in your life; the day you were born and the day you find out why." This quote I believe in as I feel it speaks to purpose and being born on purpose and not by mistake. I work with a client to build a therapeutic rapport as I feel this to be essential to making therapeutic gains. I embrace the elements of unconditional positive regard, being authentic and genuine, and empathy to help build that therapeutic rapport with a client. I consider listening, patience, acceptance, and honest communication, and observing healthy boundaries as my greater strengths. I look forward to working each potential client in navigating through challenges to obtain mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social well-being.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I believe that the Therapy sessions should result in therapeutic gains and after each session I hope that at least a seed is planted that will be watered and produce growth, development, and move the client from problems into solutions. I encourage life balance and inspire the client to set goals to work on each of the areas that impact their life to include mental, physical, emotional, social, vocational, and spiritual health and well being.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I use an eclectic method of Counsel yet my foundation is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I utilize talk therapy along with worksheets and exercises that promote reframing negative thought patterns and encourage self-esteem, self-worth, identity, and purpose.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I feel that my biggest strengths are patience, listening, and encouraging clients to seek to move from problems into solutions. I use these strengths to work toward navigating through mental and emotional obstacles and setting goals that help to promote an awareness of self and a greater sense of purpose that will help the individual to develop strong coping skills to enhance their everyday life and bring changes necessary to reframe maladaptive thinking that brings on negative actions and increases anxiety and depression.