Elizabeth Lombino
Elizabeth Lombino
(she/her)
Hi! I'm Elizabeth, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience. I aim to be a safe space for you to be your authentic self and to be able to express your thoughts and feelings. I have vast experience working with many different people with many different issues and life experiences, which has allowed me to learn from them as much as I have helped them. Hopefully you will feel a partnership in working with me, with you guiding the sessions, and me gently providing feedback, suggestions, and techniques to foster insight, growth, and healing. * I also offer evening sessions for those who need non-traditional availability! *
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session together will be very conversational, with the overall goal of us getting to know each other. You need to get to know me, just as much as I need to get to know you. You can ask as many questions as you need in order to feel comfortable. I will gather some information on what brings you to therapy, but will allow you to guide the session, providing as much (or as little) detail as you feel comfortable. Of course there are some logistical and insurance requirements, like determining diagnosis, however, I will be able to evaluate for those during our conversation and with the assistance of the screening tools. I will inform you of what I believe your diagnosis(es) to be, with you providing feedback and letting me know if you agree/disagree. I aim to be as transparent in my work with providing as much information and education as possible so you are clear in every step of the way. We will then determine a plan for our work together, with you providing your thoughts on your goals of therapy. Of course this is a lot of work to accomplish, so this may take more than one session.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I feel my strengths include being authentic with clients; being empathetic and compassionate and non-judgmental; being open, transparent, and clear in what I am doing in every step of the way so clients know what to expect; having a good sense of humor which helps create a softer, more conversational tone to our sessions; and being able to meet clients where they are at and join with them on this journey toward healing.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My dream client is one who feels ready and invested to learn and grow. Someone who has struggled with whatever issues that prompted them to seek help, but has the strong desire to persevere and overcome. Someone who has the understanding that they cannot change the past and they do not have control over what has happened to them, however, they do have control over what they do with that information and realizations. They have (more) control over how they decide to live their life from this moment on, regardless of their past. They have the understanding that it is not about "what's wrong with you" but rather "what happened to you".
About Elizabeth Lombino
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Somatic
Our minds and bodies are connected - often our bodies will alert us to information our brains have yet to process. Using Somatic techniques helps us get better connected with our bodies and listen to the information being provided. Somatic techniques also allow us to use our bodies to help better manage any difficult feelings and sensations we may be experiencing in our bodies.
Strength-Based
Historically, many treatment modalities focused on problems and what is wrong with a client. This has often made it difficult for many people to seek treatment, or to return to treatment when symptoms or difficulties returned. Focusing on strengths allows for a person to feel empowered and in better control of their treatment and their life. We all have strengths, we all have value and worth. Helping a person focus on these strengths and utilize them to help better manage their stressors can be incredibly healing. That is my overall treatment focus.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a very effective method for assisting in behavior change. Through addressing very real and common ambivalence with making change, I assist clients in determining the best way for them to make changes in a realistic and attainable way. We also explore ways to make smaller changes that can ultimately lead to larger changes. All behavior change is challenging, whether it is changing eating habits, learning to stop smoking, reducing alcohol and/or drug use, or any of the many other behaviors that a person may struggle with changing. MI can be very helpful with this process.
Psychoeducation
Many people may be reluctant coming to therapy, and most often that is due to not having a full understanding of what to expect, and what is happening along the way. Psychoeducation assists with addressing these unknowns. Psychoeducation is an incredibly vital aspect of the therapeutic process as it provides the information and answers to many of the questions asked along the way. I ensure that all my clients are aware of what I am doing as I'm doing it, I provide information on key components of therapy, diagnosis, treatment planning, goal setting, coping skills, and other aspects of the process. In addition, I provide information and education not just verbally during our visits, but I will often follow up with informational worksheets through the messaging center that clients can refer to whenever they need to.
Trauma Informed Care
Many of us are survivors of trauma, whether a capital T Trauma or lower case t trauma. These events, circumstances, and life experiences are in the eye of the beholder, it's all about how you perceive them, and how you have learned to cope and survive. Given how pervasive trauma is (unfortunately), I conduct every session with every client through the lens of Trauma Informed Care. I act as if every client has endured some level of trauma until they tell me otherwise, especially since most have. My aim is to not re-traumatize, to provide a non-judgmental, compassionate space for clients to feel safe enough to share (or not share) to their comfort level and receive the support and strategies they need to build safety in their own lives and start to heal. My mantra is always "it's not what's wrong with you, but what happened to you."