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

Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for suggestions concerning our work together, including keeping each other accountable. What to Expect A Welcoming Environment: You will be met in a safe, non-judgmental space designed to make you feel at ease while discussing topics that may be difficult. Clinical Assessment: Expect detailed questions regarding your current struggles, any substance use history, mental health symptoms, medical background, and current life stressors. Faith Integration: If faith is important to you and your healing process you will be asked about your personal relationship with God, your spiritual history, and how you currently lean on your faith for strength. Faith based Christian Counseling has been a large part of my counseling career. Goal Setting: Together, you will begin mapping out a personalized treatment plan. This includes setting "SMART" goals for both immediate concerns and long-term spiritual and emotional health. Examples of goals are "developing a strategy to replace negative destructive thoughts with more positive constructive thoughts, "identifying triggers for unwanted behaviors," " developing emotional regulation skills, healthy coping skills, anger management skills," or goals for developing deeper spirituality. Logistics and Boundaries: Your counselor will explain essential practicalities such as confidentiality, session frequency, and scheduling. How to Prepare Reflect on Your Goals: Think about what specific changes you hope to see in your life. Identify some short and long term goals. If you really just don’t know where to begin, no worries, we will work on this together. Gather Information: Be ready to discuss your history of trauma, substance use and any past mental health treatments. If this is uncomfortable for you, please know, we will take it at your pace. This is your session. It’s a safe place to share as you feel comfortable. Prepare Questions: You are encouraged to ask about your counselor’s beliefs, their experience as a therapist, and what their specific therapeutic process looks like. I’m an open book and prioritize transparency in all I do. Come as You Are: There is no need to put on a "better self mask." Honesty about your current struggles is the most important step toward healing. I understand it can be uncomfortable but it can also be greatly freeing to be able to just be yourself or practice being transparent and share without feeling judged or shamed.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My greatest strength as a counselor is just being real. I’ve overcome some struggles so I know what it’s like to struggle emotionally, physically and mentally! There is glory on the other side! I’m honest and transparent, yet kind and compassionate. I love helping my clients feel comfortable, heard and respected. I also place great importance on practicing empathy, humor(we all need to laugh a little), care and compassion within the therapeutic relationship. I truly desire to help clients address and resolve the struggles they are facing and to become free to be successful in all areas of life. To just have peace. All the while, getting rid of "stinkin' thinkn'" and building a strong and healthy core belief system and healthy self-esteem/self-worth. Finding solutions that work is paramount to lasting change.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I help individuals who are navigating the complexities of mental health issues or the intersection of substance abuse and mental health challenges (often referred to as co-occurring disorders). My practice is ideally positioned to serve clients who are ready to engage in a holistic treatment process and address and resolve struggles that are negatively impacting their lives. My ideal clients typically exhibit the following characteristics: Clients' Concerns and Struggles: Anxiety/Depression/Low self-esteem/substance abuse/poor coping/destructive thought patterns and belief systems/cycles of failure and difficulty with change or life transitions. Dual Diagnosis: Individuals struggling with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or trauma-related issues. Which also include substance use disorders involving alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription medications. Functional Impairment: Their struggles are significantly impacting their daily lives, including relationships, employment, or academic performance. Clients' Mindset Readiness for Change: They possess a fundamental desire to change and are willing to put in the necessary work, even when it's challenging. They are "contemplators" or "preparers" in the stages of change model. Openness to Integrated Care: They understand the inter-connectedness of their mental health and are open to an integrated, evidence-based treatment approach. They may be more comfortable in individual/one-on-one therapy rather than group therapy. Willingness to Be Vulnerable: They are ready to engage in self-reflection, explore underlying issues, and be honest about their experiences. Hopeful: Despite past setbacks, they hold a degree of hope that health and healing is possible with the right support and tools.