Hello, my name is Ann and look forward to meeting and to working with you. I moved from Pennsylvania in 2019 as I could not handle winter any more and needed to be somewhere warm! I have two Master of Arts degrees from Kutztown University - one in Counseling Psychology ( obtained in 1995) and the other in School Counseling ( obtained in 2004). I started in mental health therapy in 1995, then moved into substance abuse counseling for several years, then school counseling while I raised my son for 18 yrs, and now back to mental health/substance use counseling as that is my passion. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband doing outdoor activities - especially riding the Harley and going out on the water. I love to walk daily and enjoy knitting in my spare time. Everyone in life ( including therapists at times) need someone to talk to in order to help resolve problems, manage stress, process trauma or enhance coping skills. I believe in looking at what you want to accomplish as the goal of therapy and then working on skills to achieve that goal. I utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques as well as person-centered techniques and when needed will involve the family if the client is willing and if it will enhance our work together. I believe everyone has the tools inside them to achieve their goals; it is just about unlocking them and utilizing them. I have worked extensively with trauma survivors and have utilized mindfulness exercises. I also have worked extensively with clients who have co-occurring disorders including depression/anxiety along with substance use disorder. I also have work extensively with teenagers and LGTBQ+ community.
The first session is the get to you know and you get to know me session. This is where we learn about each other and how I can best meet your goals.
I listen, try to understand and then look to meet the needs of my client. Methods depend on what you the client needs. Results are meeting the needs of you - the client.
I am willing to work with any client who is willing to work on their goals. I am able to provide support, guidance, and education as you work towards what it is you want to accomplish or change for yourself. I am able to work with all clients in the above age groups/children 9 and older and including those in the LGTBQ+ community and can provide both individual and couple's counseling.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Work with clients to work through past traumas by reconnecting their emotional and cognitive parts of their brain and by challenging negative thoughts and reframing them