I have over 20 years decades of experience working as a licensed therapist in Illinois. My experience includes working with adults in a variety of settings. I have worked in inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization treatment, community-based services and outpatient settings. I have also provided telehealth therapy services for many years. My roles have afforded me many opportunities to advocate for clients and provide groundwork for clients advocating for themselves.
I view the first session as the start of building a therapeutic relationship. I work with clients to develop individual treatment goals and treatment plans to improve their sense of well-being.
As a therapist, I accept a person's reality regardless of how someone is feeling or reacting. The goal of this approach is to meet a client where they are versus telling how and where to be. This is accomplished through providing an environment that assists clients in gaining a better understanding and coping strategies to manage thoughts, feelings and behaviors to improve day to day living.
My background includes working with adult clients experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma (extensive training and experience with domestic violence & sexual assault victims), adjustment phases, suicidal ideations, self-esteem issues, and relationship difficulties.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is helpful in teaching clients to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps clients learn skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships and cope with challenging situations.
Strength-Based therapy helps clients to build on their best qualities, improve their resilience and develop a more positive mindset.
I believe in the use of a combination of evidence-based therapeutic techniques that are effective in treating specific problems.