LCSW, 13 years of experience
Hello, I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in treating simple and complex trauma, neurodivergent traits (ADHD, ASD, sensitivities) and along with general mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. I draw on a number of tools to identify and resolve the underlying events and experiences that distressing and disruptive including CBT, DBT, IFS, and EMDR and Somatic Experiencing. My belief is that you deserve to work with someone who truly understands your experience, takes action on your healing, not passively listening to you. I help my clients heal and create the change they are seeking. It is most important that you feel you are being seen and heard in a secure, safe place with no judgement. I love working with people who want to make meaningful changes in their lives so they can find the happiness they deserve!
In our first session you will have the space to talk about what brought you to therapy and the most important things you would like to focus on as we begin working together. This is a time for us to begin to get to know each other and create a safe space for you.
There are two areas in which I have specialized skills, trauma and neuro diversity. One is working with trauma. I have treated trauma that is a result of a single event such as an auto accident, as well as that which is the result of long-term childhood or relationship experiences. For this type of treatment EMDR is a powerful intervention that creates lasting change that allows people to move beyond the events that can block them from happy, healthy lives. My other specialty work is with clients who have neuro-atypical traits such as ADHD, high sensitivity, and executive functioning differences. I have some of these traits which makes it possible to relate to my clients because we have shared lived experiences. My clients say this has been very important in creating trust and a strong therapeutic relationship.
I am trained to work with children ages 9-12, adolescences and adults.
I completed EMDR Basic training in 2011 with two clinicians who trained (in 1989) directly with Dr. Francine Shapiro, developer of the modality. Additionally, I engage in regular advanced EMDR trainings due to rapid advancements in this modality coupled with advancements in neuroscience and neuropsychology. I have experienced watching people change their lives using EMDR to rid themselves of experiencing the "past in the present", as Francine has stated. The freedom my clients get from using this treatment is nothing short of amazing.
Our attachment style is how we connect with ourselves and others. We develop our attachment style throughout childhood and it is shaped by the core adults in our lives.