New to Grow
Welcome! My name is Flo and I am a licensed therapist dedicated to working with teens, young adults and parents. I have a BA from Hamilton College and received my MSW from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. I have worked in a variety of settings- outpatient, community health clinic, middle and high schools, and in the adoption field. I often collaborate with agencies (DCF, DMH), PCP offices and other helpful resources in our local community. Have you been struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, a recent transition or loss? Or perhaps feeling alone or stuck, at a loss for what could be helpful? You may also be questioning who you are, or struggling in relation to family, school or your community. I look forward to getting to know you and together, we can navigate what will be helpful on your path forward.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we'll introduce ourselves and talk about what brought you to therapy. We will get to know each other while I gather some background information. We can discuss any specific concerns and/or goals you might have. Then, we'll talk about what a treatment path could look like. We will also review confidentiality, session structure, and any questions about therapy. This is a time for you to feel heard, understood and supported. I understand that it will take time for us to build this relationship. I hope that you will feel warmth, care and connection in this very first session.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am patient, kind, compassionate and pretty easy going. I enjoy connecting with each individual client. You will bring your own set of strengths, interests and unique experience to our work together. While there may be some heavy emotions or sharing of experience, I am here to remind you that you are not alone. You have many choices and I hope, in time, you are open to learning and practicing some new skills. I will introduce you to Cognitive Behavioral therapy(CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy(DBT) and, where indicated, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR). These are all evidence-based modalities that can be accessed in different ways based on your needs and goals. I am looking forward to getting to know you and to helping you through this tough time. You are able to learn, grow and move forward to thrive! Oh, and we will need to find humor and joy whenever we can!!
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
If you are a teen, young adult or a parent in need of support, I look forward to connecting and working with you, whatever your age, race or gender identity. Together, we can figure out what may be getting in the way of what it is you really want for yourself.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that is effective for mood, anxiety, and trauma-related concerns, among others. CBT can help you become more aware of the patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be contributing to distress. We’ll collaborate to challenge unhelpful thinking, develop new coping strategies, and practice more effective behaviors, ultimately supporting you in building greater stability, resilience, and well-being.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I integrate DBT skills training into my work with clients who are seeking support managing intense or overwhelming emotions. DBT is particularly helpful for those navigating anxiety-, mood-, and trauma-related symptoms. Together, we can identify which DBT skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness can be learned to meet your needs. Then, we can work to apply these skills in real-life situations to enhance emotional stability, improve relationships, and build greater confidence in navigating daily challenges.
Trauma Informed Care
I hope my clients grow to feel safe, supported and empowered in our work. We will focus on your strengths and competencies. We will work together to learn and practice skills-- emotion regulation, grounding, and coping mechanisms like deep breathing or other somatic methods.
EMDR
I have recently been trained to use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in therapy. This method helps clients to process distressing memories through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) while focusing on the memory, reducing its emotional impact and integrating it more adaptively. I help clients to identify negative images, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations related to a trauma or a negative experience. Then we follow a set of protocols to use bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess the memory until it becomes less disturbing, eventually strengthening positive beliefs about oneself. EMDR can be used to treat trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression and more.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment when working with clients with an OCD diagnosis. ERP helps to take power back from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. ERP involves gradually facing triggers while resisting the urge to engage in compulsions. This process helps retrain the brain to see these triggers as less threatening over time. ERP can be challenging, but it is highly effective. I’m committed to helping you feel grounded, informed, and empowered throughout the process. We’ll move at a pace that’s right for you, building skills that increase your confidence and reduce the cycle of fear and avoidance.