LICSW, 14 years of experience
Hi, I have been in the mental health field for many years and have worked in many settings and with people from many backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. I am a licensed mental health professional (LICSW) and work with children, teens, couples, adults of all ages, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. My areas of expertise are related to social justice, mental health, and food security. I specialize in trauma-responsive care and the autonomic nervous system working together with participants to identify, treat, decrease, and recover from impairments experienced as a result of a mental health condition/life experiences. I think it's very important for people to understand a bit more how emotional or psychological distress impacts the body and innovative, cutting edge strategies, benefitting from recent findings in neuroscience, neurobiology, and psychophysiology.
In our first session we will complete a diagnostic assessment interview as we engage to learn a bit about each other and explore the reasons for seeking therapy. We will explore family and social history, previous concerns, prior treatment, and any circumstances relevant to seeking care. We will explore some strategies toward treatment plan development including potential goal areas and review treatment methods, provide psychoeducation, and answer any questions.
My greatest strengths as a provider include knowledge, experience, and expertise in fostering and facilitating recovery and restoration from trauma and other mental health impairments. I have been working in the field for many years and have experience working with a large variety of people from various cultures and lived experiences and I connect quickly with others and develop rapport in a very real, down to earth manner. Providing meaningful, effective mental health services requires a combination of experience, education, art, science, and nature. Being able to understand where people are coming from and recognizing and acknowledging people's competencies is important in meeting people where they are at and providing meaningful, practical care while not engaging in judgmental blame, shame, guilt games.
I serve children, teens, adults, and the elderly. All are welcome here. I have extensive experience with many mental health concerns and diagnoses. I prioritize meeting people where they are at and seek to gain an understanding of their life and circumstances and what brings them to therapy. I am experienced in the assessment, treatment planning, and identification and implementation of appropriate services to address the challenges and symptoms resulting from developmental and complex trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar, borderline personality, and other trauma-related stressors.
I am a trauma expert and have been trained in multiple modalities, working in the mental health field for nearly 40 years. I meet clients where they are at, and together, determine treatment that meets their needs and preferences. I integrate multiple perspectives and theoretical frameworks within my own practice and research.