Hi there, I'm Shirley. Do you often feel overwhelmed by your emotions? Are you struggling with relationships, work, or your health? Is it difficult for you to be kind to yourself? Do you frequently experience loneliness? If you're facing challenges or feeling lonely, I encourage you to reach out to me. Together, we can identify what's not working in your life and help restore your balance. We will take a holistic approach, addressing the needs of your mind, body, and spirit. Our focus will be on developing strategies that target the root causes of your difficulties and fostering a stronger relationship with yourself, as well as building meaningful social connections. Whether you're coping with overwhelm, past issues, or cycles of anxiety and depression, I'm here to support you. Seeking therapy can feel daunting, but you're making a valuable decision. You deserve a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I will meet you with compassion and utilize evidence-based techniques to help you overcome the obstacles and habits that hold you back. Let's work together!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we will embark on a journey toward your success. We'll start with introductions and then delve into the challenges you are facing. With a tailored plan we create together, we'll work towards overcoming these obstacles. I am confident that with dedication and perseverance, you will achieve healing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My biggest strength is my ability to listen, empathize, and build rapport and hope in my clients' lives. I have more than 12 years of experience with various clients who have dealt with trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief. I also have extensive experience with neuro-divergent clients, such as those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I genuinely believe in the work I do with individuals who have experienced trauma. My clients are motivated to heal from their past experiences and enhance their lives. Additionally, I have a deep passion for working with people on the Autism Spectrum Disorder, as this is an underserved population that I am committed to helping.
About Shirley Duarte
Shirley Duarte offers therapy covered by Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Eclectic
As a therapist, I am committed to delivering the highest quality therapy. I have gained knowledge and experience from various therapeutic modalities, and I consistently update my skills and interventions to provide you with the most effective treatment. Eclectic therapy isn't a single, specific type of therapy itself, but rather an approach to psychotherapy. Therapists using an eclectic approach draw techniques and principles from multiple therapeutic models and theories, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Humanistic Therapy. Instead of rigidly sticking to one school of thought, the eclectic therapist selects and combines methods they believe are best suited to meet the unique needs, problems, and personality of the individual client. The core idea is flexibility and tailoring the treatment to the specific person, rather than fitting the person into a pre-defined therapeutic structure.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful treatment modality that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. My experience with EMDR has been transformative, both personally and professionally. I've witnessed clients significantly reduce the intensity of distressing memories and develop healthier coping mechanisms. In my practice, I utilize EMDR by first establishing a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. We work together to identify target memories, and then, through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, we facilitate the brain's natural processing abilities. This allows clients to reprocess traumatic events, integrate adaptive beliefs, and ultimately experience relief from distressing symptoms.
Somatic
The body-centered approach to psychotherapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body. It operates on the principle that experiences like trauma, stress, and emotional pain can manifest physically and become "held" within the body's nervous system, muscles, and posture. I utilize various techniques, which may include breathwork, movement, focusing on physical sensations, and gentle touch, to help individuals enhance their awareness of internal bodily sensations, known as interoception. The goal is to help process and release stored tension, regulate the nervous system, and resolve trauma symptoms, leading to greater emotional and physical well-being.