Hello! My name is Jamal and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience providing counseling services. I have worked in a wide range of therapeutic settings including: education, community mental health, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and intensive outpatient care. My approach to therapy is client centered: clients are the experts on their lives and determine the direction and depth of therapy. Through a strengths-based and solutions-focused lens, I draw on multiple treatment modalities to guide clients in identifying strengths and developing treatment plans that accomplish their goals. I support clients through developing skills via: EMDR, mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation with the goal of moving clients towards a life involving the capacity for experiencing joy and freedom.
The first session is primarily focused on getting to know my clients and establishing a connection, developing an understanding of the client's needs, and laying the foundation for the therapeutic journey ahead.
For some clients, engaging in therapy can feel like a challenging and scary endeavor. One of the cornerstones of any positive therapy experience is deeply rooted in clients feeling safe and accepted. One of my greatest strengths is my capacity to create a safe space for people to feel honored and accepted for who they are and the experiences they have had. My approach is both flexible and adaptable in using different therapeutic techniques and approaches to meet the unique needs of each client. As we work together, we will create opportunities that promote clients to grow and progress at their own pace.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.