LPC, 23 years of experience
New to Grow
I have been a counselor for over 23 years and have extensive experience treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, suicidal ideation and self harm, and more. I will go at your pace to help you reach your goals and can help you pinpoint why you feel stuck. You have taken the first step already by looking for help! Let's work together on the rest.
Clients should expect a down to earth conversation, without judgement, that meets them where they are on their journey to creating change. I am open to feedback and what you feel is the best approach to therapy. After all, YOU are the expert on you! Some clients need a direct approach, and some need a softer delivery. If you are willing to do the work, I am willing to go along with you to provide the road map and celebrate your successes!
I feel comfortable treating clients from all backgrounds and cultures. I am genuinely invested in you and know how valuable building trust and rapport is in therapy to evoke change. If one approach or treatment method doesn't work, there are many to choose from. You are unique and therapy is not one size fits all.
I work with clients who are motivated for change or who simply know that something needs to change in their life and are willing to explore further. I believe in a Harm Reduction model for both mental health and substance abuse/misuse.
A lot of mental health symptoms start with how we think and respond to situations. If we can change how we think and react to situations and triggers, then we can potentially decrease the distress (depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, etc.) caused by the initial situations.
MI is a client centered, strength-based approach where I validate your perspective without judgment. I help you identify your strengths as you work towards your specific goals for therapy.
DBT skills help clients manage intense emotions and improve their relationships with others. Communication skill building, mindfulness/meditation, increasing one's ability to tolerance stress, and learning how to identify and regulate our emotions are the main components.
The method is goal oriented, meant to be short term in nature, and focuses on finding solutions and one's strengths instead of focusing on the past.
This method focuses on avoiding clients being retraumatized by utilizing trauma awareness in all aspects of life. It includes establishing safety, trust, collaboration with the client on goal setting, and empowerment, all while being culturally sensitive.