I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many years of experience helping people, mostly adults. 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 my approach. 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: reading books, creating affirmations, drawing, etc.. Patience is required (of which I have much), while I serve as a container for unpacking and exploring your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and life experiences which are interfering with your growth. I do not choose your goals or make decisions for you 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 together, We'll start with brief introductions as you tell me about yourself. Next, you will have limited time to share your reasons for seeking therapy at this time, your specific challenges. how they affect you and what you have already done to try to improve them. Additional time will be spent completing a comprehensive assessment: your history, medical, social, vocational, and treatment history in order to arrive at a provisional diagnosis; in addition to identifying and sharing 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 tailored plan for us to work through 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 have been in the field for many years, and 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. 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