Good to meet you! Please, call me Annita. To begin with--therapy means something is "right" with you, as you listened to your heart asking to be heard by someone in a safe, non-judgmental place of acceptance. Now let me ask: anxiety or depression, histories or memories of childhood or adult traumatic events, grief and loss of a beloved family member, friend, or pet to whom you were closely connected, navigating chronic illness--have any of these challenges disrupted your life so it feels intolerable? Let me hear your heart--not with a stethoscope, but with listening to you. My 30+ years of previous career in nursing taught me that 'listening' to words from the heart is one of the most important aspects of a relationship--not just hearing the words but feeling the emotional impact as well. Having worked in adult and pediatric populations, I understand that all ages and populations deserve respect, kindness and compassion. I have worked as a mental health clinician with teens ages 16-24, with children 4 years old and up, young and older adults. From a nursing perspective, I am acutely aware of medical issues that often affect our mental health and need assessment by a physician to provide the best treatment, while I offer the skills that increase abilities to cope with those needs. I provide experiences in your session to help you realize your worth, build coping skills, regain confidence as well as compassion for all you have experienced in life, continue to grow through challenges, and progress toward the goal you desire.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, I will provide you with a brief introduction of my education, career skills, and generally 'who I am'. I will briefly review the limits of confidentiality with you as a matter of safety and trust. I will ask you detailed questions regarding your goals for your therapy, details of 'who you are' to family, friends and community. Together we will make a plan with the aim of achieving your therapy goals. I may also incorporate methods during the session for you to practice daily to achieve a sense of calm and confidence in your self.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma- Focused CBT, Mindfulness and Meditation. I also use the FLASH technique to decrease distress when recalling upsetting events, and EMDR for deeper reprocessing of events once a client can tolerate the briefest recollection of a trauma. I will not ask a client to describe in detail a trauma if there is any indication they become anxious at the slightest memory of the event. It has been shown that using FLASH--which does not require describing the event--can decrease distress to nearly or completely non-existent. Sandtray is a tool available to both adults and children to assist expression of emotions and life concerns. I also assign homework, ask you to print out material pertaining to in-session exercises or information, and provide printed materials in session at times.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Honesty and integrity were most important to me as a professional nurse. These qualities allowed the best possible care to be provided for all individuals. Those characteristics remain the foundation of positive therapeutic relationships between the client (you) and therapist (me). I value your honesty with me in the same manner I hope you may value mine. Whatever happens in this life, you matter. I am privileged to walk beside you on your journey, as you do the hard work of exploring your needs, acquiring new skills and moving forward in your life. With time, you will become your own best therapist, with a supportive community, peers and family as companions to your best life. I wish you a sense of peace, health, happiness, love and hope.