I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Board Certified Counselor practicing in the State of Georgia. I have over 15 years in the counseling field. I received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Counselor, Education and Supervision from Mercer University, a Master of Science Degree in Community Counseling from Mercer University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology from Florida State University. I provide mental health counseling to adult integrating cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, person-centered, and brief solution focused therapy. My approach to therapy is holistic and client centered.
The first session starts with a brief introduction, a review of commitment to therapy, and the reason the individual is seeking therapy. During this first session, the individual is encouraged to share want he or she wants to focus on while in therapy. This will help us create a tailored planned to work through during future sessions.
Having 15 years’ experience in the counseling field my success has been the use of a client-centered approach. It is important for me to create a safe space for my clients where they feel safe to open up and share their intimate thoughts and feelings with me. Therefore, the only agenda I have is to walk with you on your healing journey to learn, embrace, and implement what serves you well and to get rid of that which does not.
I have used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for over 10 years. It is my belief that each individual’s life experiences are unique to the individual even when it involves shared events, such a natural disaster. The use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps an individual focus on his or her specific problem from a goal oriented approach. My use of CBT, although not all encompassing, include working with individuals on grief and loss, marital discord, communication challenges, relationship conflict, and ways to manage emotions and stressful life situations. Each individual’s healing journey is unique to the individual. Therefore, how a person experience their life events will present differently even if the experience is shared with others. My use of CBT includes helping the individual identify problematic situations in his or her life; identify thoughts, emotions, and beliefs related to these problematic situations. Identify negative thinking and patterns of behavior in how they deal with their problems as well as help them to reframe the way they think about their problematic situations. I use homework assignments directly related to the topics presented in the sessions by the client as a way to help facilitate the individual’s growth towards applying what is learned in therapy to his or her daily life.