First and foremost, congratulations on taking the important step toward positive change in your life. I am both honored and eager to have the opportunity to support you on this journey. With over 20 years as a licensed clinical social worker and more than 40 years in the social work field, I have had many opportunities to help people. Yet, I it is my mission to bring a fresh, practical perspective in our work together. My background includes experience supporting people who have faced trauma, significant life events, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, I have a special place in my heart for those diagnosed with ADHD and on the Autism spectrum. My approach to therapy is holistic, focusing on how environmental factors influence functioning and well-being. In collaboration with each individual person and based on their unique needs, I select tried and true interventions from multiple evidence based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with much focus on mindfulness. I am committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for healing and believe in helping people find solutions in a nonjudgmental and efficient manner. Throughout our sessions, I will be open and honest while maintaining a respectful and supportive demeanor.
In our first session, we will get to know each other and why you are seeking therapy. We will talk about what goals you have and determine together what steps will need to be taken to reach these goals. Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for suggestions concerning our work together, including keeping each other accountable.
It is my desire to really listen to what you want to happen to make changes in your life. I will always want to know if our work together is meeting those goals and truly want to make sure that you feel safe and respected in our sessions. I will tell you that our time together is a "non-judgement zone". I have been in the helping profession for many years and I have learned to be direct and transparent but at the same time empathetic and compassionate. I promise this to anyone who chooses to work with me.
CBT aims to teach people that it is possible to have control over your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. CBT helps you to challenge and overcome automatic beliefs, and use practical strategies to change or modify your behavior.
DBT focuses on teaching people skills to manage intense emotions, cope with challenging situations, and improve their relationships. It encourages people to learn and use mindfulness training in practical ways.
I have found that overall the most important thing a therapist can do is to provide a safe space for healing. This can only be done when you listen compassionately and without judgement. During my time with a client I work very hard to ensure that they are in charge of their therapeutic process and I am merely their driver. I incorporate interventions from multiple evidence based therapies based on each of my clients needs with full transparency.
Mindfulness is at the heart of everything I do. Mindfulness teaches us that living in the past or in the future is futile, and a waste of our time and energy. However, living in the moment is not easy and for most people doesn’t come instinctively. In our sessions we will work on how to be grounded in the present moment with the goal of stopping negative emotional reactions and rather acting with purpose and intent.