Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Michigan and Pennsylvania. I received my Masters from the Wayne State University and have been practicing for 6 years. My approach to therapy relies on creating a safe environment to assist my clients in processing and healing from various aspects of their lives. I am passionate about assisting my clients in healing from trauma, building self-worth, improving communication in their relationships, and reaching their goals. As a clinician, I utilize a multidimensional approach to therapy, exploring everyone’s biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. I am an interactive, family systems, attachment theory, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) therapist.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help us together to create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. The first session will begin our therapeutic relationship. We will discuss confidentiality policies and the limitations of privacy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a therapist, my greatest strengths include: a deep capacity for empathy, excellent active listening skills, a non-judgmental approach, the ability to build strong therapeutic relationships, tailoring treatment plans to individual needs, and a commitment to ongoing learning and personal reflection; allowing me to effectively understand and support clients in navigating their challenges.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love working with clients who are actively seeking personal growth, committed to the therapeutic process, open to self-reflection, and willing to put in the effort to address their concerns
About Kayla Gilman
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly structured and practical approach in my practice that empowers clients to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, ultimately changing their behaviors and improving their emotional well-being by focusing on the present moment and developing coping mechanisms to manage challenging situations; it's a collaborative process where we work together to identify problematic thought patterns and actively implement strategies to modify them, often utilizing techniques like cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure therapy depending on the client's specific needs.
Supportive
Supportive therapy, in my practice, is an approach where the primary focus is on creating a safe and validating environment for clients to openly discuss their challenges, fostering a strong therapeutic alliance to help them manage symptoms and build resilience. It's essentially about providing emotional support and practical coping mechanisms to navigate difficult situations.
Compassion Focused
Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is a powerful approach in my practice that helps clients cultivate a more compassionate inner voice, allowing them to navigate difficult emotions and situations with greater kindness and understanding, both towards themselves and others; it primarily focuses on utilizing mindfulness practices, imagery exercises, and self-compassion techniques to foster a sense of inner warmth and acceptance, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with self-criticism, anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
In my practice, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a cornerstone approach for clients struggling with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and difficulty managing relationships, particularly those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder; it provides a structured framework to teach crucial life skills like mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, allowing individuals to navigate challenging situations with greater stability and coping mechanisms.
Feminist
As a feminist therapist, my practice is deeply rooted in understanding and addressing the impact of societal power dynamics, particularly gender inequality, on my clients' lives, focusing on empowering them to identify and challenge these structures while actively working towards personal growth and social change; this involves utilizing techniques like power analysis, reframing experiences within a societal context, and fostering an egalitarian therapeutic relationship where the client is seen as an expert on their own life.