Renee Tong
Renee Tong
(she/her)
Renee Tong, LCSW, LISW is a highly skilled and compassionate clinical therapist dedicated to providing exceptional mental health care and support to adults over age 18, and seniors and is LGBTQ-friendly. Her private practice began in 2007. With a wealth of experience and a profound understanding of human behavior, Renee is committed to helping her clients navigate life's challenges and achieve personal growth. Renee earned her Master's degree in Social Work from Barry University, Florida, equipping her with a solid foundation in evidence-based therapeutic techniques and theories. She went on to obtain her clinical licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence and ethical practice. She is currently licensed in the following states: Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Ohio, and Kansas. Throughout her career, Renee has successfully assisted clients from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of mental health concerns. Her expertise spans various areas, including life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, grief and loss, self-esteem struggles, Stress and worry, Caregiver stress, PTSD, Trauma, ACOA (Adult Child of Alcoholic or Drug Addict), addictions, Relapse Prevention, Dual Diagnosis, Grief, Shame and Guilt, Abandonment issues, Betrayal, Codependency, Toxic Relationships, Postpartum Depression, and Infertility-informed. By employing a holistic and client-centered approach, Renee fosters a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Renee's therapeutic style combines empathy, active listening, and collaboration, ensuring that each client's unique needs and goals are addressed effectively. She employs evidence-based interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, solution-focused therapy to promote personal insight, resilience, inner child wound work, narrative therapy, attachment style theory method along with client center humanistic approach towards positive change.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together , well start with brief introductions then dive straight into specific challenges that you are facing. Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. This will help me create a plan tailored fit to your needs to work through in follow up sessions. Thank you for entrusting me to assist in navigating life's challenges, develop resilience, and achieve lasting positive change.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I’ve been using CBT and attachment theory modality approach in my practice for the past 15 years. It’s helped dozens of clients challenge reoccurring thoughts and manage their anxiety. We’ll use those modalities to recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. We’ll then use that knowledge to change your thinking patterns, which will help you with decreased depression leading to a less anxious and stressed life. When you're ready to leave the stress and discomfort you are feeling behind, I'm prepared to help you. Schedule our first session and get you on the road to feeling better today. I actively participate in continuing education to enhance my skills and better serve my clients. I focus on courses related to trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based techniques, as these areas are particularly relevant to my practice. Recently, I’ve also explored training in culturally competent counseling to better support clients from diverse backgrounds. I’m especially interested in learning more about emerging therapeutic modalities, such as somatic experiencing and brain-based interventions like neurofeedback. Staying current with research and advancements helps me provide the most effective and compassionate care possible. "Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn the light on." ---- Albus Dumbledore Below is GrowTherapy contact information for support : (786) 755-1863 support@growtherapy.com intake+Renee6803@growtherapy.com
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Providing therapy service from age 20-100; providing individual sessions ONLY. NO CHILDREN AND NO ADOLESCENTS, NO COUPLES COUNSELING. Specialties: Life Transitions, self esteem issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, women's issues, relationship issues, divorce, addiction, peer relationship, caregiver stress, work stress, anger issues, ACOA, resentments, conflicts, toxic relationship, neglect and abandonment issues. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to anxiety, depression, and/or self-care. I focus on helping clients develop assertive communication & boundaries with themselves and those around them that can help improve their quality of life. Counseling can foster personal development in whatever way you may be seeking and help build the life you so deeply deserve. If that's what you're looking for, I'm here when you're ready to share.
About Renee Tong
Renee Tong offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Renee employs evidence-based interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, psychodynamic to promote personal insight, resilience, inner child wound work, interpersonal therapy, attachment style theory method along with client center humanistic approach towards positive change. Presently, Renee works with clients for individual sessions only.
Attachment-based
Attachment-based theory, often referred to as attachment theory, is a psychological framework that explains how early relationships—especially with primary caregivers—shape our emotional development, relational patterns, and sense of self throughout life. Core Concepts of Attachment Theory - Attachment bonds: Deep emotional connections formed with caregivers, typically beginning in infancy. - Secure base: A caregiver provides safety and support, allowing the child to explore the world with confidence. - Safe haven: In times of distress, the child seeks comfort and regulation from the caregiver. - Internal working models: Mental templates formed from early experiences that influence how we view ourselves, others, and relationships. These develop based on the caregiver’s responsiveness: - Secure: Trusting, emotionally open, comfortable with intimacy. - Anxious: Preoccupied with closeness, fears abandonment. - Avoidant: Emotionally distant, values independence over connection. - Disorganized: Conflicted behaviors, often linked to trauma or inconsistent caregiving. Lifespan Relevance - While rooted in early childhood, attachment patterns evolve over time through relationships, therapy, and life experiences. - Adult attachment influences romantic relationships, parenting, friendships, and even workplace dynamics. Attachment-based approaches help clients: - Understand how early bonds impact current struggles. - Rework internal models through secure therapeutic relationships. - Heal relational wounds and build healthier connections.
Interpersonal
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a structured, time-limited psychotherapy that focuses on improving a person’s relationships and social functioning to help reduce psychological distress—especially symptoms of depression. Core Concepts of IPT - Relational focus: IPT is based on the idea that psychological symptoms (like depression or anxiety) are closely tied to difficulties in interpersonal relationships. - Present-oriented: It zeroes in on current relationships and social roles.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Culturally sensitive therapy is an approach to mental health care that honors and integrates a client’s cultural identity, values, and lived experiences into the therapeutic process. Core Principles of Culturally Sensitive Therapy -Cultural awareness: Therapists reflect on their own cultural background and biases to avoid imposing them on clients. - Cultural competence: They actively learn about different cultures, traditions, and worldviews through training and lived engagement. -Cultural humility: the approach with each client is with openness and curiosity, recognizing that the client is the expert on their own experience. - Tailored interventions: Techniques are adapted to align with the client’s cultural values, communication styles, and healing traditions. It is important for clients to feel seen, respected, and safe, which is essential for emotional vulnerability and healing - Addresses systemic issues like racism, discrimination, and cultural stigma** that may impact mental health. What It Looks Like in Practice - We might explore how **family roles, spirituality, or community expectations shape identity and stressors. - They may adjust their role—more collaborative or more directive—based on cultural norms. - They validate and incorporate cultural coping strategies, such as storytelling, rituals, or collective healing practices.
Psychodynamic
Core Principles of Psychodynamic Therapy - Unconscious processes: Much of our behavior is influenced by thoughts and feelings outside of conscious awareness. - Early experiences matter: Childhood relationships—especially with caregivers—shape our emotional world and relational patterns. - Defense mechanisms - People develop unconscious strategies (like repression or denial) to protect themselves from psychological pain. - Insight leads to change: By bringing unconscious material into awareness, clients can understand and shift long-standing patterns. Who It Helps; Psychodynamic therapy is especially effective for: - Depression - Anxiety - Relationship difficulties - Personality disorders - People seeking deep self-understanding and long-term emotional growth