LISW, 9 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello and thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. I'm Caron (pronounced just like 'Karen', and I bring a lifetime of diverse experiences to my work as a counselor. Having lived through many of life’s transitions myself, I understand that growth often comes from challenge and change. My perspective as an older adult allows me to connect with clients from all walks of life with authenticity, patience, and empathy. Over the years, I’ve learned that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s a personal journey. I draw on my own lived experiences, professional training, and genuine curiosity about people to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel truly seen and heard. Whether someone is facing anxiety, addiction, grief, or life transitions, I help them discover their inner strengths and move toward a more grounded, fulfilling life. My goal is to empower clients to recognize that it’s never too late to grow, to heal, and to live with greater self-acceptance and purpose.
In our first counseling session, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where I will take the time to get to know you. I’ll start by asking about your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, and any specific concerns or challenges you are currently experiencing. We’ll discuss your background, key life events, and any relevant history to build a clear understanding of your situation. I’ll also explain our confidentiality boundaries, how therapy works, and what to expect moving forward. Together, we’ll set some initial goals for therapy, and I’ll answer any questions you have about the process. You are encouraged to share anything you feel is important, whether it’s recent struggles or ongoing issues. My primary goal in the first sessionis to create a safe, supportive space where you feel comfortable sharing. as we begin a collaborative journey toward healing and growth.
What stands out about my approach is the respect I have for each client’s individual journey. I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, supported, and in control of their process. I let clients set the pace that feels right for them—whether that means taking time to build trust, exploring emotions gradually, or moving forward when they’re ready. My role is to walk alongside clients, offering guidance, tools, and perspective while honoring their comfort level and readiness for change. This client-led approach fosters genuine growth, self-awareness, and lasting healing.
As an older adult with a wide range of life experiences, I bring a deep sense of empathy, understanding, and perspective to my work as a therapist. I know firsthand that healing and growth can happen at any stage of life, and I believe our lived experiences—both joyful and difficult—shape the wisdom we bring to others. My professional journey has been enriched by many roles and relationships over the years, giving me insight into the complexities of human connection, resilience, and change. Clients often tell me they feel seen and accepted for who they are. I value that trust and work hard to create a space that feels both safe and empowering. I draw on my personal and professional experiences to connect with clients in an authentic way, blending evidence-based practices with genuine compassion and curiosity. My approach is grounded in respect for each person’s story, and I strive to help clients rediscover their strengths, find clarity, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.
As a therapist, I take an integrative approach to my work, drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities to meet the unique needs of each individual client. I believe that no single method fits everyone, and that each person’s experiences, strengths, and challenges require a tailored approach. When I begin working with a client, I take time to understand their history, current circumstances, and goals for therapy, and from there, I thoughtfully combine techniques that best support their growth and healing. For some clients, I might draw from cognitive-behavioral strategies to help them identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, while for others, I may incorporate mindfulness, somatic awareness, or emotion-focused interventions to deepen their self-understanding and connection to the present moment. I also value the use of person-centered principles, creating a safe, empathetic, and collaborative space where clients feel genuinely heard and empowered to explore their inner world. My approach remains flexible and responsive, adjusting as clients evolve and new insights emerge. Ultimately, my goal is to meet each client where they are, honoring their individuality and helping them access the tools and perspectives that best support their healing, resilience, and personal growth.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a structured yet flexible approach to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I start by creating a collaborative environment where clients feel safe to explore the patterns that might be contributing to their distress. Together, we identify unhelpful or distorted thought patterns—such as all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, or overgeneralizing—that often influence how they feel and act in certain situations. Once those patterns are recognized, I work with clients to challenge and reframe them into more balanced and realistic perspectives. I also incorporate behavioral techniques, such as goal setting, activity scheduling, and exposure exercises, to help clients test out new ways of thinking and behaving in real-life contexts. Homework assignments or journaling may be used between sessions to reinforce learning and encourage self-reflection. Throughout the process, I emphasize self-awareness and skill building so that clients gain practical tools they can continue to use outside of therapy. My goal with CBT is to empower clients to become their own “thought detectives,” developing a deeper understanding of how their inner dialogue shapes their emotional experience and behavior, and ultimately helping them create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients identify and build on their existing strengths, resources, and successes rather than focusing primarily on their problems. I view clients as experts in their own lives, and my role is to guide them in uncovering the skills and abilities they already possess to create meaningful change. Early in the process, I collaborate with clients to establish clear, achievable goals that reflect what they want their lives to look like when the problem is no longer dominating their experience. I use questions such as the miracle question (“If you woke up tomorrow and the issue was resolved, what would be different?”) to help clients envision their preferred future, as well as scaling questions to assess their current progress and motivation. During sessions, I actively highlight moments when clients have already made progress or demonstrated resilience, reinforcing the belief that change is possible and already happening in small ways. Rather than delving deeply into the causes of problems, I help clients focus on practical, forward-looking steps that move them closer to their goals. My approach with SFBT is conversational, empowering, and optimistic, emphasizing what’s working rather than what’s wrong. This allows clients to leave sessions feeling encouraged, capable, and equipped with a clearer sense of direction and confidence in their ability to create positive change.
I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in my counseling practice to help clients process traumatic memories and alleviate symptoms associated with trauma, anxiety, or stress. I start by building a strong therapeutic alliance and ensuring my client feels safe and comfortable. We then identify specific targets—traumatic memories, beliefs, or feelings—that they want to work through. During the session, I guide my client to focus on these targets while I facilitate bilateral stimulation, typically through eye movements, taps, or auditory tones. As they process the memory, I monitor their emotional and physical responses, adjusting as needed. The goal is to help the brain reprocess the trauma in a way that reduces its emotional charge and integrates it adaptively. For Flash EMDR, I incorporate brief flashes of light or visual cues during the reprocessing. This technique is faster and can sometimes accelerate the processing of traumatic material. I use Flash EMDR only after proper training, ensuring I am confident in managing the client’s responses. I introduce it carefully, making sure my client feels safe and understands what to expect. During Flash EMDR sessions, I present the visual stimuli in controlled, short bursts while the client focuses on their target memory. I stay attentive to their reactions and adjust the intensity accordingly. After the session, I discuss what emerged and help them integrate insights or positive cognitions. Overall, my aim with both EMDR and Flash EMDR is to facilitate healing in a safe, supportive way, helping my clients process their experiences and move toward stronger emotional well-being. Would you like me to customize this further for your specific approach or style?