As a therapist with a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, I offer clinical services to individuals while also teaching others how to provide therapy. Licensed in multiple states, I have over a decade of experience in mental health counseling. I thrive on collaborative approaches to help individuals achieve their wellness goals. In my practice, I prioritize creating a supportive and empowering environment where clients feel heard, validated, and equipped with the tools they need for growth. With a client-centered approach, I am dedicated to fostering positive change and promoting overall well-being.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session is usually when the individual provides their reasons for participating in therapy, as well as their desires of what they would like to get out of therapy. Together we can determine realistic and healthy goals.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I think building a rapport and providing space for the client to feel heard is important. I want clients to feel comfortable enough to share with me what they need to share. It makes sense for someone to be awkward or not trusting of me because they do not know me yet, but if they could trust in the process of therapy.
About Heather Cresswell
Heather Cresswell offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
Specializes in
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
During sessions, I would work collaboratively with the client to identify and challenge any maladaptive or unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions contributing to their distress. Through various techniques such as Socratic questioning, thought records, and cognitive restructuring, I help clients develop more adaptive ways of thinking that promote emotional well-being and resilience. Additionally, I would guide clients in recognizing the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By implementing behavioral experiments and activity scheduling, clients can experiment with new behaviors and experiences that challenge their existing beliefs and lead to positive outcomes.
EMDR
In practice, I would begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment to determine the client's suitability for EMDR therapy and to identify target memories or experiences to process. This assessment involves gathering information about the client's history, current symptoms, and any relevant traumatic events. Once the assessment is complete and the client is deemed suitable for EMDR, I would collaborate with them to develop a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and goals. This plan would outline the targets for processing and establish a foundation of safety and stabilization to ensure the client feels supported throughout the process. During EMDR sessions, I would guide the client through a series of bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements, hand tapping, or auditory tones, while simultaneously asking them to focus on specific aspects of the targeted memory or experience. These bilateral stimulations help facilitate the processing of distressing memories and emotions, allowing the client to reprocess and integrate them in a more adaptive way.
Eclectic
As a therapist utilizing an eclectic approach in my practice, I draw from a diverse range of therapeutic techniques and theories to tailor treatment to the individual needs of each client. This flexible and integrative approach allows me to combine elements from different therapeutic modalities to create a personalized and effective treatment plan. First and foremost, I would conduct a comprehensive assessment to gain a thorough understanding of the client's presenting concerns, background, strengths, and goals for therapy. This assessment helps me identify which therapeutic approaches and techniques may be most beneficial for the client's unique circumstances. Based on the assessment findings and ongoing collaboration with the client, I would then integrate various therapeutic modalities and techniques into the treatment plan. n addition to individual therapy, I may also incorporate elements of family therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, or other adjunctive interventions to provide comprehensive support to clients within the context of their relationships and social networks. Overall, the eclectic approach allows me to be responsive and flexible in meeting the diverse needs of my clients, while also honoring their unique perspectives, strengths, and preferences. By drawing from a wide range of therapeutic techniques and theories, I strive to create a collaborative and empowering therapeutic environment where clients can explore, grow, and heal in ways that resonate with them personally.