New to Grow
My name is Cherita Griffin, LPCC-S, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor who is deeply committed to helping individuals heal, grow, and reclaim their sense of peace. I specialize in working with individuals navigating trauma, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, and relational challenges. My approach is compassionate, direct, and grounded in evidence-based practices, while always honoring each person’s unique story. I believe healing is possible, and I strive to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to move forward with clarity and confidence.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, you can expect a warm, welcoming space where we focus on getting to know each other, understanding your story, and starting to build trust and clarity around what brings you here. What Happens Step by Step Warm welcome (first 5–10 minutes): We’ll start with a brief check-in—how you are feeling today, any immediate concerns, and practical details like session length (typically 50–60 minutes). I’ll share a bit about my approach to make sure it feels like a good fit. Your story (20–30 minutes): We’ll explore what prompted you to reach out, your current challenges, strengths, and goals. No pressure to share more than you are ready for—I follow your pace with open, non-judgmental questions. Assessment and collaboration (10–15 minutes): I’ll ask about symptoms, history, supports, and preferences to get a holistic picture. Together, we’ll identify 1–2 initial priorities and brainstorm small, practical steps you can try before our next session. Wrap-up and next steps (last 5 minutes): We’ll summarize key insights, schedule follow-ups if it feels right, and I’ll answer any questions about process, fees, or confidentiality. You’ll leave with a clear sense of direction and hope. The Vibe and My Role Expect compassion, curiosity, and empowerment, no judgment, no “fix-it” agendas. As a trauma-informed clinician, I prioritize safety and choice, you guide what we cover. Many clients describe feeling “heard for the first time” and leave with at least one actionable tool, like a simple breathing exercise or boundary phrase. This is your space; I’m here to walk alongside you. If you have specific hopes or worries about session one, let me know so we can tailor it even more.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths as a clinician is my ability to balance compassion with clinical clarity. I create a space where clients feel deeply seen and validated, while also gently challenging patterns that keep them stuck. My approach is both nurturing and structured, I don’t just listen; I help clients build practical tools they can apply in real life. I am highly skilled in working with trauma, emotional regulation, and complex relational dynamics. I integrate evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, and mindfulness in a way that feels personalized rather than rigid. Clients often share that they appreciate how I help them connect the dots between their past experiences and present behaviors, while equipping them with strategies to create measurable change. What truly stands out is my ability to help high-functioning individuals who “hold it together” externally but feel overwhelmed internally. I help clients move from survival mode to intentional living, building resilience, boundaries, emotional balance, and confidence. My goal is not just symptom reduction, but sustainable transformation and long-term emotional wellness.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are ready to do meaningful inner work, even if they feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or emotionally exhausted right now. Many of my clients are navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, or patterns that no longer serve them. I work well with individuals who are insightful and self-aware, yet find themselves stuck in cycles of overthinking, emotional reactivity, people-pleasing, or burnout. I also support high-functioning individuals who “look fine” on the outside but are carrying unresolved pain internally. My ideal clients may not have all the answers, but they are open to growth and willing to explore how their thoughts, emotions, and past experiences influence their present lives. Whether your goal is healing from trauma, strengthening emotional regulation, building healthier relationships, increasing self-confidence, or simply finding more peace, I provide structured, compassionate, and skill-based support to help you move forward with clarity and resilience.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the primary treatment approaches I use in my practice because I have consistently seen how effective and empowering it can be for clients. I appreciate that CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and practical, helping individuals clearly understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Many of the clients I work with struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, life transitions, or patterns that feel difficult to break, and CBT provides tangible tools to create meaningful change. In my work, I help clients identify automatic thoughts, challenge cognitive distortions, and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns. I integrate techniques such as thought records, behavioral activation, grounding strategies, and behavioral experiments to support growth both inside and outside of sessions. I also believe strongly in collaborative work, so we explore patterns together and create strategies that feel realistic and sustainable for your daily life. My approach to CBT is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in compassion. I don’t believe in simply “fixing thoughts” I focus on helping clients build awareness, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop skills that foster long-term resilience and self-efficacy. My goal is for clients to leave sessions not only feeling heard, but equipped with tools they can confidently apply in real life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of the core approaches I use in my practice, especially when working with individuals who experience intense emotions, mood instability, relationship challenges, or difficulty managing distress. I deeply value DBT because it balances two powerful concepts: acceptance and change. It helps clients feel validated in their experiences while also equipping them with practical tools to create meaningful shifts in their lives. In my work, I integrate DBT skills in a way that feels structured yet compassionate. I teach and apply core skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help clients slow down impulsive reactions, manage overwhelming emotions, improve communication, and build healthier relationships. I often use techniques such as behavioral chain analysis, skills coaching, and structured exercises to help clients understand patterns and develop alternative responses. My approach to DBT is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in real-life application. I focus on helping clients not just learn skills in session, but confidently use them in everyday situations. My goal is for you to leave therapy feeling more emotionally balanced, empowered, and capable of navigating life’s challenges with clarity and resilience.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness is a foundational approach I integrate consistently within my clinical practice to support Clients in developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and present-moment grounding. I have found that many Clients struggle not only with overwhelming emotions, but also with racing thoughts, rumination, and difficulty staying connected to present experiences. Through mindfulness-based interventions, I help Clients slow down, observe thoughts without judgment, and build capacity to respond rather than react. In my work, I incorporate breathing techniques, body awareness exercises, guided grounding practices, and intentional reflection to strengthen mind-body connection and reduce emotional reactivity. I utilize mindfulness as both a stand-alone skill and as a complementary component within CBT and DBT frameworks, reinforcing distress tolerance, cognitive restructuring, and radical acceptance. My approach to mindfulness is trauma-informed and culturally responsive, ensuring practices feel safe, accessible, and adaptable to each Client’s lived experience. My goal is to help Clients cultivate internal calm, increase clarity, and develop sustainable coping strategies that extend beyond session into daily life.