Hi! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in AZ and MA. I received my Masters from the University of Arizona and have practicing in the field of Mental Health for 35 years. I have worked with adolescents through geriatrics to manage many different emotional and behavioral difficulties and I spent a number of years training and supervising clinicians to provide the highest quality of care. Over the past 5 years, I have limited my practice to part time telehealth while I double as a co-caretaker of my 10 year old granddaughter who has Autism Spectrum Disorder and multiple medical needs.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, we will spend time getting to know a little about each other, what challenges brought you to therapy, what you want to achieve in therapy, and explore how I might be able to help you reach your goals. I will explain how therapy with me works and the importance of practicing new skills between sessions to develop new tools to use in your daily life.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Working with many different populations has taught me how to listen carefully and meet my clients where they are at creating a safe and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel heard and understood, no matter what you're experiencing or feeling, without worrying about being criticized or judged. I am able to adapt techniques and strategies to meet your needs, and use humor when appropriate. My approach is collaborative, meaning that we work together as a team, where we explore solutions and strategies that feel right for you, at your pace. You’re the expert on your own life, and I’m here to offer support, guidance, and tools to help you meet your individual goals.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love working with adults who are struggling to "fit in" their family, their peer group, or their life. My clients are eager to see themselves as valuable individuals with worthy gifts to share and to be accepted despite perceiving themselves as different. They may be neurodivergent, OCD, LGBTQ, grieving a major loss, or adjusting to a major life transition and they are feeling lost, alone, overwhelmed or without a purpose. Some may find a major medical event has thrown them off of their desired life path and they aren't sure how to adjust to their new normal or accept the changes that have been forced upon them.
About Sandy Loomis
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have used CBT for many years with individuals from 18 to 80 years of age and from many different cultures. It has helped them to successfully navigate their unique challenges with confidence and clarity leading to a less anxious and stressed life. CBT will help you recognize how your thoughts and feelings influence how you see yourself and others and how this impacts your behavior. We’ll then use that knowledge to change your thinking patterns and your emotional and behavioral responses to the world around you.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
People are often faced with circumstances they cannot control which can lead to anxiety, depression or grief. I have used ACT to help people accept negative feelings and thoughts as normal to situations, and commit to making changes that align with their values. We will use mindfulness techniques to stay in the present and recognize that the feelings can be accepted and managed effectively
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
There are many types of anxiety that lead to avoidance as a way to feel better. I have used ERP successfully with people suffering from minor phobias to Obsessive Compulsive Disorders in order to manage the fears and anxiety that limit their ability to function in employment, leisure activities or socially. Learning coping skills for decreasing the need to avoid triggers and prevent ruminating thoughts that require time intensive compulsive behaviors can provide opportunity for a more active and engaging life.