Have you ever felt like you were standing in the middle of the road knowing you can’t go backward but not sure which way to turn? Have you asked yourself “what if,” questions that further complicated the thoughts in your mind and initiated fear in your heart? Have you disrupted relationships due to an inability to trust others or yourself? If you have been here, you are not alone. Together we can take steps forward to walk a path with excitement to heal wounds that have hurt you. We will walk the path together at a pace you can handle, taking the puzzle pieces one at a time, and creating the picture you want for yourself. I have worked with an array of populations who have experienced a number of challenging issues of self-esteem, trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and loss, substance use, domestic violence, relationship issues, adjustment to life changes, and identifying issues. I earned my degree from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and worked in several domains that have aided the work I have done over the course of 20 years.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I introduce myself and give some background info on my experience and how we will work together. I go over what to expect in sessions because the more information you have, the better you feel. Instead of another scripted interview, I ask questions to make them seem more conversation. I am engaged and see my patients as individuals.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I present with a very caring and authentic and challenging approach. I see everyone as unique individuals regardless of the presentation. I am able to help patients discover new ways of viewing a specific problem of concern. I do this by being open, honest, and providing a sense of safety that patients can speak about without judgement. This time is for you to be able to sort out the thoughts you feel others may not understand.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Patients that tend to choose me and remain with me say so because I am authentic and allow them to be who they are in the sessions. They are comfortable in opening up as I challenge them to look deeper into themselves. These same patients find ways to incorporate the lessons learned and do their best to be stewards of the change they want in their lives. They learn to understand their past does not have to depict the present or future.
About Lovea Smith
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
It is important to help people to develop better coping skills that challenge thought processes and beliefs to gain confidence and face fears of their lives rooted in anxiety that influences depressive moods. I like to ask patients to imagine their ideal selves and from there, we work to create that by changing behaviors they identify as interfering with becoming the person they desire to be.
Compassion Focused
Caring and compassion is needed to establish a healthy relationship in any dynamic. Being able to provide a safe trusting realm for people to be their selves, is the foundation of starting rapport.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Everyone comes with a unique packaging of who they are (gender, race, sexual orientation, disability etc.) that it important to who they are and how they present in the world. Discussing these important aspects means welcoming you as a whole person so you can be your most authentic true self.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma comes up in our lives in a way that changes how we think and how we approach circumstances. When we are trauma informed, we stop asking questions "what is wrong" and changing the question to "what happened" to this person. We become more sensitive to the needs of a person when we change the way we approach and view the issues presented in front of us. A trauma-informed lens helps the explanation of behaviors and we work to unlearn them in a productive manner.
Strength-Based
When going through life challenges, we forget what we are good at and what makes us who we are. Re-learning and establishing strengths, helps patients become prepared to handle the situations they present with in therapy. As we grow through therapy, we learn more about who we are, our interests, and our values. As we change, these can change.