Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

For the first session, we will start with an introductory conversation with the parent and child to build rapport, followed by a rendition of the informed consent, ensuring the completion of necessary paperwork and emergency contacts. We will discuss the counseling alliance and boundaries, such as time management, rescheduling policies, and regression and progression in therapy. Once the administrative aspects are sorted, we will discuss the therapy process and work together to establish your goals. Socratic questioning will aid in gathering information about your biological, spiritual, and psychological dimensions. For all subsequent sessions, we will begin with a check-in to discuss your week and address any pressing issues or crises. If any crises come up, we will address them immediately unless we decide otherwise. We will review the previous session, follow up on any homework, and proceed in a natural flow. Each session will typically last 45-50 minutes and will not exceed 60 minutes. If you have been screened to complete the TF-CBT, sessions will look different and will be discussed accordingly.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

1. Communication Skills Active Listening: Engaging fully with clients to understand their concerns, demonstrating empathy and respect. Reciprocal Communication: Encouraging a two-way dialogue, ensuring clients feel heard and understood. Open-Ended Questions: Facilitating deeper exploration by allowing clients the space to share in their own words. Funneling Questions: Skillfully narrowing the focus of the conversation to pinpoint specific issues or feelings. 2. Interpersonal and Cultural Awareness Cultural Awareness: Demonstrating sensitivity and respect toward diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Compassionate: Offering a warm, nonjudgmental presence that creates trust and safety for clients. 3. Problem-Solving and Exploration Exploring Problems: Helping clients articulate and understand the root causes of their challenges. Unearthing Trauma: Guiding clients through their past experiences to address unresolved issues. Not Having All the Answers: Accepting that the therapeutic process is collaborative and growth often involves exploration without clear answers. 4. Ethics and Professional Integrity Ethical: Committed to maintaining professional standards, confidentiality, and client well-being. Patience: Allowing the therapeutic process to unfold at a pace that respects the client’s readiness. Flexible: Adapting your approach based on the needs and circumstances of each client. 5. Fostering Growth Exploring Avenues for Growth: Encouraging clients to identify areas for personal development and offering guidance without imposing solutions. Empowering Clients: Helping clients recognize their inner strengths and resilience, enabling them to take active steps toward their goals with confidence.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I enjoy working with children and older adolescents who are open to collaborating with a trusted and ethical licensed professional living outside Cobb County jurisdiction. I utilize a person-centered approach to establish clear personal, professional, familial, and social goals that we will work on together. It is common for children to feel stuck, uncertain, or ambivalent about various aspects of life; however, when emotions become overwhelming and unbearable, it's essential to recalibrate. Clients will be encouraged to engage and confront those feelings, fully experience them, and discover pathways to shift, center, and transition healthily from one state to another. Clients with a history of suicidal ideation and attempts, as well as those dealing with severe and persistent mental health conditions, may necessitate a higher level of care, such as inpatient therapy or bi-weekly sessions. Those in such circumstances will be referred to the appropriate resources for more intensive care.

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