Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

I understand that some people coming into the first session may be feeling nervous, scared, afraid, etc. with possible thoughts of getting judged; while also having to deal with feelings of vulnerability by being asked to "open up and share" all of your life history with a complete stranger. So with that being said, my first session will try and entail a "get to know" or what we call from a professional standpoint, "building rapport" session. Of course, we know this concept could take a lifetime to achieve, but usually, I aim towards my initial session with a client to be free-flowing and relaxed than most sessions, in efforts to help the client to try and reduce or rid some of their anxiety and fears. Also, my first session would be designed to help set the tone and expectations for future sessions such as collaboration on goal-setting, to review and or add-on pertinent information to the initial clinical assessment, discuss any questions/concerns, and begin to set future appointments., if applicable.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I find that some of my most effective modalities would be to use two of my favorite therapeutic approaches, which would be both Person-Centered therapy and Cognitive Behavioral therapy. Person-Centered therapy is a nonjudgmental approach to where I will try to always aim towards being genuinely authentic, supportive, and nonjudgmental with my clients. I use the Person-Centered approach in just about every therapy session, in efforts for the client to hopefully feel supported and safe during all of their sessions. I also find myself often using the Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) approach as well because the majority of my clients have been in need of enhanced self awareness of how their cognitive thinking correlates with their choices and behaviors in life. One of my favorite CBT interventions is the "stop and think" exercise.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I have an array of professional counseling and behavioral health experience working with ages ranging from 5 years old up to 80(+) years of age, who may be presenting with different levels of personality and mood disorders. Unfortunately, there have been negative stigmatisms associated with someone who may be needing or already receiving counseling services, such as being perceived as "crazy or psycho." From a transparency perspective, I am a very private person as well and would not be too quick with opening up to a complete stranger about all of my struggles, trauma, challenges, etc. from both past to present. But guess what?....I am not "shy" when it comes to opening up about any medical issues with a medical doctor, who I have never met before in my entire life. This is because I understand the importance in doing whatever I can proactively, to help try and maintain good medical health status before any symptoms exacerbates to a point of no return. So yes, our mental health is just as important as our medical health! Therefore, please do not allow unwarranted stigmatisms to help deter your need to do the necessary work to help nurture and sustain your mental health stability. Food-For-Thought, "Sometimes, those who we may have never met before, could be the same ones to help save our lives."

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