LMFT, 1 years of experience
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience providing treatment and care for vulnerable populations, including children and adults who require trauma-informed therapy, such as foster youth and individuals affected by domestic violence and/or interpersonal violence (IPV). My therapeutic approach utilizes attachment theory in combination with trauma-informed care, focusing on the development of skills for regulation, healthy communication, and boundaries.
The first session will be assessing the client's needs, behaviors, and symptoms that brought them to therapy. I like to be direct in asking clients what they want out of therapy and collaborate in creating goals for therapy.
I am even-toned in my communication and provide empathy for my clients. My philosophy is strength-based and non-shaming. I will work where the client is and on their terms.
My commitment to supporting marginalized populations is informed by personal experience. I am dedicated to assisting individuals who require additional resources and fostering their ability to advocate for themselves. My practice involves working with clients who have encountered various forms of trauma and attachment wounds who seek guidance and empowerment.
Individuals may notice recurring patterns in their relationships, even with different partners. If you are experiencing consistent unhealthy or emotionally challenging behaviors in your romantic life, it may be helpful to undertake a thorough exploration of your attachment style. Attachment-focused therapy provides clients with corrective emotional experiences, aiding them in understanding genuine connectedness and emotional intimacy. Attachment styles develop in childhood, primarily through relationships with parents, but these patterns can be modified over time with help and support of an attachment therapist as myself.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy is designed to facilitate clients' awareness of the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This therapeutic approach involves evaluating core beliefs, recognizing automatic negative thoughts, and examining cognitive distortions that may perpetuate maladaptive patterns. By collaboratively identifying constructive thought processes and suitable behavioral responses, clients can achieve improvements in mood and overall psychological well-being.
Polyvagal theory explains how our central nervous system shapes our responses by scanning for safety and danger cues. By understanding the autonomic nervous system, we can better interpret and react to these cues. The theory suggests that our perception of threat directly affects how our brain and body respond.
Child parent psychotherapy addresses how trauma impacts the parent-child relationship and family ties to culture, spirituality, and heritage. It prioritizes safety, emotional regulation, strengthening bonds, normalizing trauma responses, and creating a joint trauma narrative, all aiming to restore healthy child development.
Also encompassing TF-CBT, Trauma Informed Care aims to recognize, understand, & empathize with the impact of trauma. Having a witness or companion can greatly assist a person to heal, be seen, and feel understood.