Hi there. My name is Yamileh Dure and I am a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts with 8 years of clinical experience. I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of people, primarily battling addictions, among a wide range of other mental health issues that are impacting their ability to function the way they want to. I've also had the chance to work with many budding professionals as they determine what the next steps in their career should be and try to identify opportunities for growth.
When we meet, I'd like to have a conversation about what led you to this moment. What are the issues that led you to reach out? What are you hoping to achieve here? My goal is to listen and understand as much as possible, for a strong foundation as we move forward together to develop a plan for therapy.
Over my years in the field I have found it crucial to show up to each session as authentically myself as I can. When I'm honest and direct, it tends to give whoever I'm working with the space to do the same. I believe my greatest strength is a genuine interest and desire to support those working to better themselves, and willingness to be truthful, even when it is uncomfortable, for the benefit of the person I am working with. My experience working with people struggling with addiction and anxiety has shown me that compassion and support sometimes needs to come from a much more assertive and firm place.
In many ways, the key to addressing major patterns of distress in our lives is identifying that patterns of thought that come most instinctively to us and then determine the beliefs and values that lead to these patterns. I use CBT strategies to empower people to track and challenge internal patterns that may be getting in thier way.
You take the lead. Motivational interviewing is a crucial part of my style when I work with people considering making changes in their lives. The point is not to push an agenda, but to help you to achieve progress. I work to understand what I am hearing, what matters most to the person in front of me, and to work collaboratively to determine what comes next.
With the understanding that many who seek out therapeutic support have experienced trauma in one form or other during their lifetime, I approach each interaction as open, and nonjudgmental as possible. Where indicated, I like to share relevant information about the impact traumatic experiences can have one one's social, emotional, physiological functioning.