Each day, upon waking, I consider myself to be blessed for the opportunity to practice Clinical Social Work for a living. I have felt this way for the last seventeen years, and am a practitioner of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Therapy and hold to the belief that I can best serve my clients when I assist them in the pursuit of resolving today’s problems, issues, and concerns. Of course, I can use psychoanalysis to help my clients understand their past, the subject of “Why I am what I am”. Yet, I find it so much more exciting to explore with my clients, the “How do I improve myself” question. The way I try to live my life is to strive towards living in the "the solution" and the choice to live daily in that quest. To that point, it is fair to say that everything we do in our life IS a choice. We can choose to be empowered or not. Further, it is my contention that the way we live our lives is totally based on the way we perceive it. Two things to consider when you decide to work with me... I believe that nothing changes if nothing changes, and that pain is the cornerstone of growth. To that point, I am grateful to call myself a Christian/Catholic and am happy to talk about Faith or Spirituality as a tool for positive change if the Client desires it. It is not my job to convert you, or bring you back to Church. Yet, I am happy to talk to you about Faith and Spirituality as powerful instruments of change if you so choose.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I will welcome you with a friendly smile and greeting. I will respect your time by taking the time to have read the paperwork you have taken the time to fill out in advance. I will ask a lot of thought-provoking questions. You will get a sense that I am comfortable with you if I happen to use some "colorful" words in our sessions. Some people's favorite is the "F-word". Mine is the "S-word". I will want to get a sense of how I can best assist you, in reaching the goals that you set for yourself. You might hear me make a recommendation of a particular book that might be useful for you.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Clients will see me as someone, who wants to earn their trust, not because I have a degree from Fordham University. Big Deal... I want to earn the Client's trust because I see myself as both approachable and non-judgmental. I am one who can help the Client in attaining their goals along the way. I am someone who is inquisitive to ask the difficult question, and, at the same, work with you to create answers you haven't yet considered. I will answer any question about myself that Clients may ask about me. I am not an authority figure, and never have to be answered to. What you see (or hear) is what you get. I am not polished and do not claim to be. I am flawed, and am grateful to be.