(she/her)
New to Grow
YOU can call me Cathy. In so many ways, there is still a stigma around receiving mental health services. For some, their previous experience (or experiences of those close to them) has made it difficult to reach out for help. I’m here to tell you the field of mental health has evolved, much like I have as a psychotherapist throughout my career. During my studies at Monmouth University (2012-2018) where I earned my BA in Psychology and MS in Mental Health Counseling, I learned to pride myself on being authentic with clients, in and out of session. I am an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Over the last almost decade, I have worked in various professional mental health settings, including intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, community-based settings, and private practice.
Our first session will be focused on building a relationship with each other and ensuring we are a good fit for one another. The most important aspect of therapy is the client's comfort level and relationship with their therapist. Although we will review some clinical background information in our first session, the main priority is getting to know each other more.
My strengths lie in my ability to connect with clients, including clients who have previously struggled to connect with providers. I pride myself on being authentic in and out of session with clients while pulling from various evidence-based techniques. I find working in collaboration with clients by allowing the individual to guide treatment results in successful therapeutic outcomes.
I am best positioned to serve adolescents, emerging adults, and adults managing trauma, including vicarious trauma, burnout, employment abuse, medical trauma, and complex trauma, depression, anxiety, neurodivergence (ADHD, ASD, OCD, etc.), personality disorders, gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions, nonsuicidal self-injury, chronic illness, clients who have previously struggled to connect with therapists in the past, sexual dysfunction, as well as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ populations.
Trauma Informed Care
I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and am trained in several trauma therapies, including but not limited to, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other somatic-based approaches.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
As a board-certified counselor, I continuously strive to remain culturally responsive when working with populations of different backgrounds. This means clients do not have to code-switch or put on a mask in session with me. I meet clients where they are emotionally because you are the expert on your own experience.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Although my therapeutic approach is client-centered and collaborative, I recognize the necessity to draw from a diverse, evidence-based toolkit to meet individual needs. I utilize a variety of approaches, including but not limited to, Existential Therapy, Liberation Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Therapy (ERP) and more.