Hello, my name is Kim. I have over 8 years experience working with adult individuals in community care, mental health and medical settings. I use a collaborative, person-centered, solutions-focused approach. I love working with clients who may consider themselves non traditional, who are looking for creative tools to navigate the inevitable chaos of life and land on a path that is authentic to self.
I am flexible to adapt to a pace that feels best to you. Initial meetings allow space to process and identify your unique circumstance and continued progress is individual and defined by collaboration.
After receiving my bachelors in Social work, I spent 3 years working with adults and families with memory impairments in a social therapeutic day program before deciding to pursue graduate degree and license in Social work. With my MSW and eventual LCSW, I practiced a decade at a University hospital in both medical and psychiatric units helping people navigate crisis and highly complex human experiences. The setting required celebration of diversity, commitment to cultural competence and non-judgmental person centered care and I absolutely loved it. I continue to work in community settings and am drawn to working with individuals to craft a life rooted in authenticity. From this experience, my greatest strengths are: *Capacity to be present with intense human experiences *Solutions focused, finding actions steps to incorporate as soon as you are ready *Celebration of unique qualities
Person centered therapy has been vital to working with a wide range of patients and clients in hospital and community settings. I have used PCT with a foundation of active listening to quickly establish trust and rapport. Active non-judgmental reflection assists clients to work toward their own solutions with support and encouragement. This model builds self esteem and empowers clients to believe they know what is true within themselves. Focusing on reflective listening is a backbone to my practice.
CBT has been central to working with clients with anxiety and depression, substance use disorders and even in extended grief and loss. I have used this method to help clients identify negative thought patterns that result in unwanted behavior or undesired outcomes, in addition to challenging core beliefs that do not serve the individual and identify new beliefs that are healthier and more life giving. I have used these techniques with homeless populations, those in the hospital for mental health, substance use and medical issues for all kinds of human/ relational/ social problems.
Clients are empowered when they learn and can name what they are dealing with. I use psycho-education daily to help clients learn about what to expect when dealing with various issues. This helps to normalize the human experience, find a framework to launch from and empower progress beyond.
A lot of my practice is in community settings where crisis intervention is necessary, swift but thorough assessment is required and action plans are made and carried out in a short amount of time. I do this by aiding a client in organizing and prioritizing "the chaos" whatever that may be, and coming up solutions based on the resources and strengths available at the time.