Mary Ellen Rand
I am a counselor who is licensed in Florida and Georgia with 19 years of professional work experience. I've helped many clients to manage stress, reduce anxiety, resolve trauma, find motivation, build self esteem and confidence, and overcome depression. Some of the settings I have worked in are: community mental health centers; residential and day programs for drug and alcohol rehabilitation; rural private practice treating adults, children and families; a shelter which provides shelter and counseling for survivors of domestic violence and rape, and a multi-faceted behavioral health program providing group, individual family and couples counseling. I strive to regard everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. When we begin working together, I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take those first steps towards a change. If you are ready to do that, I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
First session
Our first session is an important time for you to gain knowledge about me, how comfortable you are talking with me, and if you feel a resonance with how I work. I will also be getting to know you, what brings you to therapy, what your current world is like, family, friends, work, stressors, what the major issues are that you have faced in your life. Then we will work together to decide what you want to accomplish from therapy and set out a plan for what goals we will focus on and the kinds of things we can do to help you get there.
Strengths
I strive to regard everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. When we begin working together, I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take those first steps towards a change. If you are ready to do that, I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Ideal clients
I suppose my specialty has been working with clients to overcome past trauma. But having had significant experience with addiction and codependency, I also have been effective in helping clients change problematic behaviors around addictive and dysfunctional relationship patterns. People usually are ready to seek help when the circumstances of their lives and their habits of thought and behavior cause them enough suffering that they know something needs to change.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I am a certified DBT Therapist. I use it in my practice to help clients learn skills to be fully present, regulate emotional reactions, tolerate stressors, and interact effectively.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have used CBT throughout my practice to help clients gain awareness of how their thoughts effect their emotions and behavior. Once someone is skilled at this awareness then they can begin to manage their thoughts and assumptions.
EMDR
I am a trained EMDR therapist and a Certified EMDR therapist with EMDRIA and have used EMDR since 2019. EMDR is a trauma focused treatment that effectively reduces triggering and resolves trauma memories so that they no longer control your present and future life. I use EMDR when appropriate for a client's needs and in conjunction with regular talk therapy.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I have been a practitioner of mindfulness trainings for 20 years and use it in all my work to help clients reduce ruminating over the past and worrying about the future and live more fully and happily in the present as it is.
Motivational Interviewing
I was trained in MI in 2015 and find it helpful in aiding clients to work out ambivalence regarding any kind of change they may be considering.
Location
Virtual sessions