I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many years of experience helping adults co-create the life they want. I love helping people. It is such a privilege to participate in your care. I am the 'original' judgement free zone (before that other company chose that phrase; you know the one). I am a mid-westerner, and bring my midwestern sensibilities to our therapy relationship. Our relationship is collaborative and supportive. I encourage you to be an active participant in understanding yourself better from the inside out, your triggers, strengths, and past successes; to develop and strengthen your inner resources; I am creative in my thinking, and encourage you to consider the same: You get out of therapy what you put into it. Patience is required (of which I have much), while I help you unpack and explore what you consider as your obstacles to personal growth. I do not choose your goals or make decisions for what you should do, as I cannot live your life for you. When I am not working, I enjoy knitting. "We do not harvest our inner crop on the same day we plant the seed"

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Our first session may actually be more than one session. I will have reviewed your completed intake paperwork before we meet. In our first session, We'll begin with your understanding your history in various areas in life, share your reasons for coming to therapy at this time, your specific challenges and how they affect you and what you have already done to try to improve them. I'll be a little as to what drew you to me as your therapist. I hope you will feel comfortable enough to identify and share your expectations of therapy (how it works), and one or two treatment goals you are willing and ready to work toward. This will help us create a plan for us our work together in follow-up sessions. I also share my overview of therapy, the importance of keeping scheduled appointments, and cancelling in adequate time to avoid no show or late charges. It is a lot to accomplish in our short period of time, which is why it may take more than one session. We will both decide if we want to work together and schedule a follow-up appointment or series of appointments for next steps.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My greatest strengths are my personal boundaries. I do not share my personal life with you. Your sessions are for you and only you. I am a good listener, authentic and kind. I am a seasoned human being. I too have been through difficult 'things' in life. As a result, I have cultivated wisdom, not just technique. it isn't always technique that makes the difference. It is presence, willingness to speak out loud your personal truth, to be seen and heard without judgement. I consider myself a 'work in progress'. "As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong" Jon Kabat Zinn.

About Laurie Weinberg