LCSW, 34 years of experience
I have been practicing Social Work/Counseling for 34 years. I am very passionate about what I do, and enjoy seeing clients set goals and take active steps to achieving those goals. I love getting to know my clients, and forming a safe place for them to explore ways they want to overcome barriers to growth and change. It is truly a privilege to meet in the therapeutic space and witness the growth that human beings can make when they are met where they are at and given the unconditional positive regard they deserve.
During the initial session the process includes getting to know the client where they are at. Have they had therapy before and what did they gain from that? If not what are their expectations for therapy? I strive to learn a bit about any traumas the client has experienced and how that affects their daily life. Most importantly I strive to give the client the space to describe a bit about them and what they wish to accomplish for themselves throughout their therapy journey.
I believe my own life experience has shaped me to be a compassionate listener and provider. I strive to let the client describe what their expectations are for therapy and set about problem solving ways we can accomplish these. I pride myself on being non-judgmental whereby I believe this assists clients in feeling safe and comfortable sharing what they need to in order to process and overcome obstacles to growth.
I have had experience working with clients with a wide variety of interpersonal struggles. I am particularly skilled at helping clients who experience Depression/Anxiety; Bi-polar; Borderline; Problems of Adjustment; Grief including Prolonged Grief; and Trauma. I have worked with clients who have had multiple diagnoses, helping them to develop tools and skills to become happier and more self-compassionate.
I meet the client where they are, whether they need a lot of healing, or maybe are experiencing a major life change. I have see clients with a myriad of struggles such as patients with Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment Disorder, Bi-Polar, and Borderline Personality. Together the client and I set goals and objectives and problem solve ways to achieve those goals.
I have worked with clients whose mindset and cognitive style interfere with growing interpersonally. When together we challenge how a mindset can influence feelings and how we approach life situations problems can be more readily solved.