New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’ve have been licensed for over 21 years. I am trained as a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Therapist. I worked in domestic violence, drug courts, school settings, Veterans Affairs, child protective services, couples counseling, trauma related work, study skills for high school and college levels, special education, learning disability, advocacy, supervision of parent visitation, radio and other areas where social interaction and mental health converge! I’m a kind, warm person who will also hold clients accountable for the with they need to do to make the changes they want in their lives.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During your first session we will discuss your goals for therapy. We will if you used therapy in the past and what was helpful or not. We will discuss ground rules for therapy, what you and I both expect from the therapeutic process, and discharge planning.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My warm personality enables me to connect quickly with clients. I have a keen sense of understanding feelings and where they originate. My substance abuse skills enable clients to feel cared for while being held accountable so that they can successfully become and stay sober.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I aspire to work with clients who wants to make positive changes in their lives. I will help you identify what is holding you back. We will work together to set goals and the steps it will take to accomplish those goals. We will transition into discharge planning when we both feel goals have been met and coping skills attained to move forward on your own. I have an open door policy so that you may return to therapy as needed.
Christian Counseling
I graduated seminary. I will reference God and scripture of the client desires a Christian perspective.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavior therapy deals with how your thoughts affect your behavior. I will help clients understand where their thoughts originate. We will discuss how thought patterns affect behavior patterns. We will work to dispute false and negative ideas to improve thought patterns and behaviors.
Couples Counseling
I use couples counseling to help client better understand individual goals and goals as a couple, to improve communication, to manage household budget, and reach a consensus about parenting styles. Couples for each couple differ. Strategies will be individualized for each couple.
Experiential Therapy
I use experimental therapy to improve understanding of how to cope with issues more effectively through physical release of stress and other modalities like journaling.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
I use this modality to identify and dispute irrational thoughts that cause unwanted behaviors. The client will learn how to do a reality check on their thoughts and how thoughts effect emotions and behaviors. Client will learn to create new behaviors.