I'm a Michigan State Grad of the Masters of Social Work-Clnicial Specialty track. I come from a rural area both here in MI and in Hawaii. I am dedicted to helping those who have had some hard knocks in life and can definately relate. I have strived to fight for those in the underserved groups aned have no problem standing at the head of the line to support those I serve. In my free time, I use nature to bring me back to the positives in life. I enjoy gardening and kayaking, exploring and spending time with my loyal shepard and my family.,
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During a first session, I like to get to know first and foremost what brings them in to therapy. Next, I want to know what they would like to work on first. My assessments are from the time they were concieved uptil today. It takes time to obtain all the pieces of their lives, i.e. developmental stages, immediate caretakers in their childhood, traumas or significant issues that have influenced how they approach hardships in life., etc I want to know if they can feel comfortable working together. I will meet them where they are at, but may mention a few things to see if the issue or their response may be do to some other interactions with others.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am the type of provider who can relate in almost any person and/or situation. I have worked in various backgrounds and met with people from various backgrounds. I have faced many life challenges, as a single mother, but have not let those challenges go unmet. It is the people I have met and the job experiences I have had that make me diverse, tough, and willing to help any in need, as long as they are wanting to work harder than me. I will do what ever is necessary to help anyone reach their identified outcomes if they are ready to take the journey. I always say, "you must learn to drive your own bus in life and this bus must have the positive people (sometimes they are time limited) and the activities and things on the bus that make you good." Let me help you learn to drive not just react to life!
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Everyone has a positive strength and the people I want to serve are those who are open to help to find what they need to succeed. Many I work with, simply need to find their center and learn to change their mindset to make a positive change. Hardships in life can be endess, but I can help those who are willing to fight harder than me to make the changes they need to reach their identified goals.
About Pamela Aalto
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
For years, I found this treatment modality as a good way to consider different approaches or response to situations. Many timesa new response to something can change the whole dynamic of the situation.
EMDR
For the past 8 years, I found this treatment modality quite beneficial for many that haven't gotten satisifaction from traditional therapy models. This treatment can be used for mood disorders, and even thought disorders. Primarily it hashad been used for PTSD and it remains highly effective when it is hard to define and/or verbalize the trauma. The power of the mind will surprise you and you will feel a gradual or sudden change with how you manage negative symptoms.
Motivational Interviewing
This technique has its roots with substance use disorders but can be used for any change you might want to work on. It gives you the power to identify what the problem is and what you are willoing to do to make the changes you believe are necessary to improve your life. It has a significant grounding capability which I think we all need when we feel angry, sad, stuck or uncertain.