LCSW, 10 years of experience
Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social working serving both Kentucky and Tennessee. I received my Masters from the University of Southern California and have been practicing for 10 years. My therapy approach is dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages who are navigating significant shifts in mood and self-esteem. My goal is to help you explore underlying challenges, transforming them into opportunities to become a stronger and more resilient person.
Our first session is all about getting to know you. We'll take our time exploring your unique history and understanding what brings you to therapy. We'll also discuss your expectations for treatment so I can tailor our approach to your needs. Together, we'll begin to develop a personalized treatment plan by identifying the goals that are most important to you. This collaborative start ensures our work together is focused on what truly matters for your well-being.
My top priority is truly understanding you. I've learned that active listening is the cornerstone of effective therapy. I approach the healing process with deep empathy and a focus on your strengths, believing in your inherent ability to grow. While I'm dedicated to empowering you to make lasting changes, I'm also committed to offering direct and honest guidance when it's most needed. Your well-being is at the heart of everything I do.
I work with individuals who are ready to actively engage in their journey toward change and growth. If you're feeling prepared to take that next step, I'm here to support you.
At its core, CBT is a highly collaborative form of talk therapy where we work together to understand the powerful link between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The central idea is that what we think directly influences how we feel and what we do. My approach focuses on helping you become more aware of your own thinking patterns. We'll identify and gently challenge any negative or distorted thoughts that might be contributing to difficult emotions or unhelpful actions. By gaining insight into this crucial connection—how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact—you'll learn practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. The ultimate goal is to improve your emotional state and empower you to make positive changes in your actions, leading to a more fulfilling life.
My focus in therapy is on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). This approach is all about empowering you to tap into your own strengths and resources to overcome immediate challenges. Instead of dwelling on the origins of a problem or past struggles, we concentrate on solutions, not the problems themselves. The beauty of SFBT is its brief and efficient nature, often allowing clients to feel back on track and enjoying their lives within just 3 to 8 sessions. My role is to help you clearly define what you want to achieve and then work collaboratively to identify the best ways to approach barriers and find effective solutions, rather than getting stuck analyzing the problem itself. It's about moving forward, quickly and effectively.
In my work, I help clients externalize their problems, seeing them as separate from who they are. For example, instead of "I am anxiety," we'd explore "how anxiety is impacting me." I focus on uncovering your alternative narratives, your unique strengths and moments of resilience that often get overshadowed by dominant problem stories. We'll work together to challenge limiting beliefs and highlight a more hopeful, empowering story of yourself. You are the expert in your own life, and I take a curious, non-expert stance. Together, we'll explore how societal expectations and cultural influences might shape your story, empowering you to re-author a narrative that truly reflects your values and desired future.
I use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence-based approach specifically designed to help individuals, especially children and adolescents, recover from the impact of traumatic experiences. This isn't just standard CBT; it's tailored to address the unique effects of trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation difficulties. My priority is to create a sense of safety and stability, first by teaching essential coping skills to manage overwhelming emotions. We'll work on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors related to the trauma. A core part of this involves gradually and safely processing traumatic memories to reduce their distress. For younger clients, caregiver involvement is a crucial component, as it strengthens family support and aids in healing. Ultimately, TF-CBT is about empowering you with practical skills to regain control and enhance your well-being after trauma.