LCSW, 15 years of experience
Frequently rebooked
Hello, my name is Nancy Christine Flanagan. I’ve practiced as a therapist in Arizona since 2010. I use a client centered approach and several therapy models, depending on your needs. I create a safe, accepting, and trusting relationship with my clients to help them heal, grow, and find happiness within. I also believe that the answers are within and therapy can help you to uncover them.
The first session includes getting to know you and reasons for therapy, including symptoms, concerns and your history. I also like to understand what works best for you based on your experience. Throughout all sessions, I do my best to build a trusting rapport, as I believe this is key to therapy being effective and beneficial for you.
I chose to become a therapist because of my experience with others quickly and easily trusting me with their most personal issues. This was not something I learned but my nature. I believe that we are all learning and striving to be and feel our best, therefore judgements are unnecessary and can only hinder the growth process.
I have experience working with a variety of populations struggling with various mental health problems, specifically depression and anxiety. I’ve primarily worked with adolescents and adults but also have experience working with elderly clients.
CBT therapy helps with questioning the validity of thoughts and reframes them to more workable thoughts and beliefs based on present moment facts. This will then shift emotions and behaviors which helps to break repetitive cycles that can cause frustration and unhappiness.
There are several therapy models used in Couples Therapy. I prefer using the Gottman Method as it focuses on anwareness, understanding, and problem solving. I also find that learning assertive communication skills can be very effective in clarification and expression of thoughts, feelings, and needs.
This method is helpful in couples therapy by increasing awareness and improving communication which has been very beneficial to improving relationships with couples I’ve worked with in the past.
This method is similar to CBT but there’s more focus on emotions rather than thoughts. I’ve found this method particularly helpful for those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and Mood Disorders.
Understanding the stages of grief and healthy ways to express, release and manage emotions has been very helpful to anyone that has suffered any kind of loss. Whether it’s loss through death of a loved one or loss of a job or relationship, understanding the grieving process as it’s ultimately a loss of a sense of self ca be helpful. Also, learning to transform the experience and possibly the relationship (from physical to spiritual) has been very comforting to clients I’ve worked with.