Emotions, relationships, communication, loss, addictions, trauma, change. Life is a cycle of joy & pain, and at times, it may feel like the pain is winning. I believe you are powerful beyond measure, that you have all the answers and solutions you seek but the pain and circumstances of life often block your access to them. You may not fully believe how powerful you are now, but, if you allow me, I can help you find this truth. You are not broken. You don't need to be fixed. We all need some help now and then and helping others is the core of what I do. I've been empowering individuals since 1999. Using an extensive set of skills, combined with compassion, understanding, and a non-judgmental and collaborative approach, we will focus on restoration rather than pathology. Together we will restore and celebrate the courageous, and resilient you! I specialize in the healing of trauma, PTSD, anxiety, mood stabilization and addiction recovery. I hold a Masters in Psychology, I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Clients have described my counseling style as transparent, authentic, and real. I am extremely competent, but I curse some, and I'll compassionately encourage your growth. You are important to me, and you will know this by how I give you my undivided attention during sessions.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I create an immediate sense of being safe, understood, heard, and validated. Counseling is a journey of self-reflection and is often scary & painful, but the reward is great. As you invest in yourself, you will regain and strengthen a sense of power and control. Your investment during and in between sessions is a primary factor that determines your progress and sustained improvement. The ultimate goal of the counseling process is to feel really good about being you. With a commitment to the process, access to the answers and solutions you seek will become available. You will experience healing, growth and ultimately, a greater sense of self-acceptance.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I am eclectic in my choice of methods, but I favor Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) & Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). I use old-school and new-school tools to facilitate progress (e.g., handouts/YouTube). Ever notice how the brain never shuts up? At both the conscience and subconscious levels, we never stop thinking. Dreams are proof of that. Thoughts are the way we perceive and interpret ourselves, others, and the world. Thoughts lead to our emotions, & emotions lead to some kind of action or inaction. The problem with the interpretive nature of thoughts is that we cannot trust them to be 100% accurate which can lead to misjudgements in choice. As a result, self-compassion often needs to be nurtured to allow an honest look at our perceptions and interpretations.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
We may or may not recognize it, but all of us experience some form of trauma. Using current and progressive methods, I help my clients identify and reprocess the emotional residue of their traumatic experiences. Addiction is at epidemic proportions. Most of us know someone, love someone or suffer ourselves with this affliction. Addiction is not a choice, addictive behaviors may have been a choice in the beginning, but untreated addiction steals choice. Exposed to addiction at a young age, I offer the understanding, and compassion of an experienced survivor. Overwhelming anxiety occurs when the primal fight/flight response is activated leading to emotional & physiological responses (e.g. fear/rapid heart rate). I teach clients powerful skills to reduce/eliminate debilitating anxiety.