I curently live in NC, I worked as a School Social Worker for over 10 years. I received my Master from University of New England. I'm an African American psychotherapist, wife, and mother of two. Overcoming early motherhood at 16 taught me resilience and balance. I specialize in TFCBT and addressing everyday challenges women face, providing therapy to individuals of all ages and race.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In a first therapy session, clients can generally expect the following: Introduction and Rapport Building: The therapist will introduce themselves and explain their background, qualifications, and approach to therapy. This is also an opportunity for the client to share some basic information about themselves and their reasons for seeking therapy. Confidentiality and Consent: The therapist will discuss the confidentiality policies, including any legal exceptions, and will usually have the client sign consent forms. This ensures that the client understands their rights and the limits of confidentiality in therapy. Assessment and Information Gathering: The therapist will ask questions to understand the client's current issues, history, and goals for therapy. This might include questions about personal history, current symptoms, and any previous treatment experiences. Establishing Goals: Together, the therapist and client will discuss and clarify the client's goals for therapy. This helps in setting a direction for the therapeutic process and ensures that both parties are aligned in their expectations. Explaining the Therapeutic Process: The therapist will explain how the sessions will typically go, including the frequency and length of sessions, what kinds of interventions might be used, and what the client can expect moving forward. Questions and Concerns: The client will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the therapy process, the therapist's approach, or any other concerns they might have. Next Steps: The session will conclude with setting up the next appointment and possibly some initial homework or tasks for the client to work on before the next session. Overall, the first therapy session is primarily focused on building a foundation for the therapeutic relationship and gathering the necessary information to tailor the therapy to the client's needs.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

A few of my greatest strengths are: Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another is fundamental. Empathy allows therapists to connect deeply with their clients, fostering a safe and supportive environment. Active Listening: Therapists must be excellent listeners, fully engaging with what their clients are saying without interrupting or prematurely offering solutions. This helps clients feel heard and valued. Communication Skills: Clear, compassionate, and effective communication is essential. Therapists need to convey their thoughts and feedback in a way that is understandable and non-judgmental. Patience: Therapy can be a slow process, and progress may be gradual. Patience allows therapists to support their clients without frustration, even when changes are not immediately evident. Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting cultural differences and being aware of one's own cultural biases helps therapists provide more effective and inclusive care. Self-Awareness: Therapists need to be aware of their own emotions, biases, and limitations. This self-awareness helps them remain objective and avoid imposing their own issues onto their clients. Problem-Solving Skills: Therapists often help clients navigate complex issues, so being able to think critically and creatively to find solutions is important. Resilience: Dealing with clients' challenging emotions and situations can be demanding. Resilience helps therapists cope with the emotional toll of their work and maintain their own well-being. Ethical Judgment: Adhering to ethical standards and guidelines is crucial in maintaining professional integrity and client trust. Flexibility: Being adaptable and open to changing approaches based on client needs and new therapeutic techniques can enhance the effectiveness of therapy.

About Annette Thomas

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