I am Brandon R. Washington, a dedicated and board-certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a passion for providing empathetic and evidence-based psychotherapy. My expertise spans Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and managing substance use disorders. With over a decade of experience, I've worked with a diverse clientele, including adults, children, adolescents, families, and couples. My approach to mental healthcare is deeply influenced by my military service and roles with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. EEOC, underscoring my commitment to serving those in need with distinction and comprehensive care. In my practice, I utilize the SMART heuristic to guide clients in setting new goals or revisiting ones that were not achieved in the past. This process begins with the crucial step of building trust, creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe and supported, thus allowing them to become comfortable with the dynamic nature of therapy. Through this approach, we collaboratively establish goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, facilitating progress and meaningful change in their lives.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

If you're seeking a transformative journey towards healing and personal growth, we likely have a lot in common. My dream clients are individuals ready to engage deeply with therapy, motivated by a desire for change, and open to exploring and overcoming their challenges. They value a collaborative therapeutic relationship and are committed to the work required for their development. In our first session, you can expect a safe and supportive environment where we'll begin to build our therapeutic relationship. We'll discuss your goals, challenges, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This initial meeting is an opportunity for us to understand each other and lay the groundwork for your journey towards healing and self-discovery. I utilize the SMART heuristic when helping clients set new goals, or when re-engaging in goals that may have failed in the past. This often starts by building trust between us and getting comfortable with the push-pull nature of therapy.

What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?

In my practice, I tailor my approach to each client's unique needs, primarily utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). These methods have proven effective in helping clients understand their lives more deeply. By integrating SMART goal setting, narrative therapy, and mindfulness techniques, we embark on a journey towards improved mental health, fostering a positive outlook, a comprehensive worldview, and a fulfilling life. This blend of methodologies ensures a personalized and dynamic therapeutic experience.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My greatest strengths as a provider stem from my unique blend of clinical expertise, military experience, and my commitment to employing evidence-based practices like CBT, PST, MI, alongside innovative methods like the SMART heuristic and Jungian therapy. This diverse skill set not only allows me to address a wide range of mental health issues effectively but also to deeply connect with clients from various backgrounds. My approach is holistic, focusing on setting achievable goals and tracking progress in a structured yet flexible manner. This combination of structured goal-setting with a deep understanding of the human psyche, honed through years of practice and personal experience, makes my therapeutic approach distinctively impactful. Over time, we'll introduce several cognitive tools, the SMART heuristic, and Jungian therapy methods into our sessions. This will allow us to set well-defined goals, and track your progress. When this business-based tool is employed in a therapeutic setting it helps clients ensure that their goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely (SMART).

About Brandon R. Washington CADC-R, Medi-Cal CPS, MBA, MSW, LCSW-BCD