I’m so glad you’re here. Starting anything new can feel overwhelming, and yet, here you are, still choosing to take that first step towards healing and self-fulfillment. My name is Edna Lippi Brown, and I have been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for the past 25 years. I’ve worked in private practice, public school systems, community mental health, and non-profit organizations. I have always maintained a singular purpose, which is to do my part in helping to move my clients and community towards healing and growth. I help clients who are coping with life's transitions, anxiety and mood disorders, grief and loss, and acute or chronic physical illness. I also specialize in working with clients who are coping with the emotional and physical results of having a life-changing medical diagnosis. My experience as a cancer survivor has given me a strong desire to help others create a path to their own healing.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

During our first session we will focus of getting to know each other and creating a safe, supportive space for you to share your story. I'll do a bit of information gathering and we will focus on what your goals are for therapy. Then we can formulate a starting point and path forward to create that path to healing.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Over the course of my career and life experiences, my style and approach to therapy has evolved and grown. I most often use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (a combination of Cognitive and Mindfulness skills), EMDR, as well as Compassion-Focused Therapy in my sessions. These techniques focus on working to stay in the present moment as you practice identifying and re-assessing negative thought patterns that can affect emotions and behaviors. EMDR therapy is an evidenced-based intervention that is especially effective in alleviating the distress associated with traumatic events and memories. These types of therapies are adaptable to working with a wide variety of clients, regardless of gender identity, age, sexual orientation/identity or race.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss. I can attest that a life-changing medical diagnosis and resulting treatment is traumatic. I am grateful to use my own experience to assist clients who are coping with physical trauma, either chronic or acute, so that they can release the distress our bodies tend to hold long after the diagnosis has passed. During active treatment for a life-changing diagnosis such as cancer, my clients are in survival mode and providing the skills and support to cope with what they are going through can assist in reducing fear and anxiety. Following treatment, the reality of all that has transpired can be a tidal wave of grief, anxiety, and trauma. Feelings of being unsafe, uncomfortable with one's own body, anxious, and depressed are not unusual. Other's expectations that things will immediately 'go back to normal' can cause survivors to suffer in silence while trying to navigate a completely new and unknown terrain. Therapy can greatly improve your resilience and ability to cope with the storms that life brings your way.

About Edna Lippi Brown