LMFT, 15 years of experience
Welcome! I'm LaRae, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. I'm glad you chose YOU! You've taken the first step towards bettering your mental health because, let's be honest - starting therapy can be empowering, confusing, or scary, all at the same time. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to anxiety, depression, and/or self-care. I focus on helping clients develop assertive communication & boundaries with themselves and those around them that can help improve their quality of life. Counseling can foster personal development in whatever way you may be seeking and help build the life you so deeply deserve. If that's what you're looking for, I'm here when you're ready to share. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change.
During your first session, we will begin to build rapport with your therapist. This is more of an informative and assessment-based session. I will ask a series of questions to get a clear picture of who you are and what your presenting problem is. We will explore and collaborate what your goals and expectations of therapy are.
My therapeutic approach is solution-focused, which is geared to help you discover and tap into your "authentic self". You will find that I am my authentic self, being direct but yet kind, compassionate, and relatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the center of my chosen treatment modality, as it is universal in being an effective treatment option for a multitude of symptoms and conditions.
You are someone who is motivated for positive change, open to explore and identify your strengths, and collaborate with your therapist to build a better quality of life for yourself. You will actively participate in the therapeutic process, focusing on solutions. Your healing journey may require you to be open to exploring your past. Which most times is the only way one can begin to move forward and get unstuck.
My style in therapy is always to bring my authentic self to the room. I typically pull from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as a Solution-Focused approach.