I'm Rick, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Indianapolis, Indiana. With over a decade of experience in both military and civilian mental health settings, I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals through some of life's most challenging moments. My specialties include assisting those who are dealing with emotional dysregulation, feeling stuck in life, and battling substance use disorders. My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in the practice of comeditation, where I aim to forge a genuine heart-to-heart connection with each client. This method not only helps in stabilizing emotions but also plays a crucial role in breaking through personal stagnation and supporting the journey toward sobriety. I offer individual sessions tailored to each person's unique needs, where we work together to find balance, set achievable goals, and explore pathways to personal growth. These sessions are designed to be a safe space for clients to explore their feelings, understand their triggers, and develop coping strategies that resonate with their life experiences. Beyond one-on-one work, I also host monthly group sessions. These gatherings are not just about therapy; they're about building a community. Here, clients can find support, share experiences, and grow together, enhancing their sense of belonging and accountability towards their recovery and personal development goals. My background includes service in the U.S. Army National Guard, work with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and the Veteran Health Administration, giving me a broad perspective on the diverse challenges people face. I am currently enhancing my therapeutic toolkit with certifications in iREST Yoga Nidra, Yoga Therapy, and EMDR to offer an even more holistic approach to healing.
In your first session with me, expect a warm, supportive environment where we can start to get to know each other. We'll begin with some informal conversation to help you feel at ease. I'll ask about what brings you here, your goals, and what you hope to achieve through our work together. We'll discuss your history, focusing on aspects relevant to the challenges you're facing, but don't worry, we'll go at your pace. This isn't about diving deep into every detail right away but understanding the big picture of your life, your struggles, and your strengths. I'll introduce the concept of comeditation, explaining how we'll work together to foster a heart-to-heart connection, which is central to my approach. You'll get a feel for how we'll collaborate on managing emotions, breaking through whatever's holding you back, or addressing substance use issues. Expect to leave with some initial insights or perhaps a small, actionable step to try before our next session. It's not about quick fixes but laying the groundwork for meaningful change. We'll talk about what you can expect in future sessions, set some preliminary goals, and ensure you feel heard and understood. Remember, this session is all about building trust, setting the stage for our journey together, and making sure you feel comfortable and ready to move forward.
I believe my greatest strengths as a provider lie in my ability to connect deeply with clients through my approach of comeditation, fostering a genuine heart-to-heart connection. This method allows me to really tune into what someone is going through, helping them feel seen and understood, which is the bedrock of effective therapy. My diverse background, from military service to working in corrections and with veterans, equips me with a unique perspective on resilience, trauma, and recovery. This experience translates into a profound empathy and understanding of the complex challenges people face, whether it's PTSD, substance use, or emotional turmoil. I'm also committed to continuous learning, currently enhancing my skills with certifications in iREST Yoga Nidra, Yoga Therapy, and EMDR. This dedication to holistic practices means I can offer more than just talk therapy; I provide tools that integrate mind, body, and spirit for healing. Lastly, my strength is in creating an environment where clients feel safe to explore their vulnerabilities and strengths. I'm adept at turning individual sessions into transformative experiences and group sessions into supportive communities where growth is collective. This combination of empathy, expertise, and a holistic approach is what I feel sets me apart as a provider.
Rick Rodgers offers therapy covered by Managed Health Services (Managed Medicaid), Medicaid - Managed Health Services and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Indiana.
ACT helps us be with our emotions and take actions based on what is important. it is a great tool that I like to use in conjunction with IFS and meditation.
Mindfulness and meditation helps us change the way we react to our emotions. As a yoga teacher and meditation coach, I use mindfulness and meditation to help us be nonjudgmental and be with our emotions rather than be "fused" with them. I am also a 500 hour yoga teacher and registered in IREST which is modern Yoga Nidra. It is a meditation practice that is helpful in healing trauma. It is used in the military and the VA.
I think it's important that we recognize the the thoughts that stressful events cause. I believe these events cause these thoughts that can change the way we see the world and ourselves. CPT, I believe, can be sued in conjunction with mindfulness and IFS to help us change and ease our parts we want to heal.
I am currently becoming certified in EMDR. EMDR is an approach to help a person process a traumatic event better. I am typically going to use IFS and meditations approaches to lead up to EMDR in it's 8 phases.
Internal Family Systems Therapy is a treatment therapy that involves looking at different parts of ourselves to treat our traumas.