LPC, 18 years of experience
Hello! Thanks for checking out Grow Therapy. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Maryland. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, andmy master's in Clinical Psychology from Towson University. Over the past 20 years, I have practiced throughout Maryland with patients struggling with substance use misuse and disorder and moderate to severe mental illness such as anxiety and depression.
In our first session, we'll start with brief introductions and dive into the challenges you're facing. I will likely ask you to discuss your current mental health state, alcohol and substance use (if any), current relationships and hobbies, among other topics. I aim to understand the goals you have from therapy. This will help us begin to collaboratively tailor a plan to work through in follow-up sessions.
Having worked with individuals struggling to make changes to their alcohol or substance use behaviors, I lean on my experience and knowledge to ensure we come up with a plan that aims to meet your goals in a way in which you are comfortable.
I feel I am best equipped to support individuals who are struggling with alcohol/substance use or misuse that may be attributed to co-occurring mental health disorders, past trauma, or unknown reasons. Through my 20 years in the field, I have worked with a variety of patients ranging from those experiencing minor struggles that may be impacting relationships to those hitting 'rock bottom' and lacking hope. If you are interested in changing any aspect of your drinking or substance use behavior, together, we can make that happen.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skillfully tailors the therapeutic experience to align with the unique needs of each patient, harnessing the strengths of the therapist. The essence of a CBT approach lies in its acknowledgment that individuals have distinct goals – some aspects they aspire to change, others they wish to maintain, and some that may not currently take precedence. Transformation in CBT is not always about the complete elimination of behaviors; rather, it involves a nuanced approach of either reducing problematic behaviors or enhancing constructive ones - sometimes both. Emphasizing the present moment, CBT centers on a proactive engagement with desired changes, aligning with the individual's willingness to transform. In essence, CBT directs attention towards living in the present and actively working towards adjustments that are both desired and feasible for the individual.