I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience working with people from all walks of life. My work has been in community health centers, medical and psychiatric hospitals, community mental health programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and in private practice. I pride myself in being easy to talk to, a great listener, and an excellent "asker" of the right questions to help people move out of limited or stuck patterns of thinking and being. I have learned so much from doing this work and have also benefitted greatly from being a client of psychotherapy myself, so I am a firm believer in our innate ability to make positive changes where needed as well as to come to a greater level of acceptance and comfort with where and who we already are.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In the first session I expect you will want to learn a bit about me and also talk about the reasons you are seeking therapy at this time. I will answer any questions you may have. I will have a few initial questions designed to help me get to know you better and learn what has been most helpful to you in the past, if you have every had any previous therapy. In the intake material I have included questionnaires that include info that would be great to have before our first session, but they are not obligatory!
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Curious, sincere, down to earth, easy to talk to, insightful, sensitive, flexible, creative, eclectic, supportive, non-judgemental. Will be happy to incorporate your spiritual beliefs into the sessions if that is something you might find helpful. My methods are eclectic, based on best practices, and client-centered.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I like to think I can work with a wide range of clients, from a variety of backgrounds. I am comfortable working with issues of adjustment to new circumstances (i.e. living in a different culture or place, starting a new job, starting retirement, divorce, etc.) anxiety, depression, self care, substance abuse, relationships, as well as more severe mental illness including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use some CBT techniques to help clients identify and challenge some fixed or rigid thought patterns that get in the way of them feeling better about themselves and/or achieving their goals.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I am committed to honoring/respecting ALL our differences and try never to push my own agenda or perspectives on clients. A healthy curiosity about and in some cases an immersion experience in some cultures other than my own have been helpful in understanding some of the contexts of clients I have worked with. This enables me to better assist them in maximing their natural supports and tap into other external and internal resources that are available to them.
Humanistic
I am "client-centered" and believe that while sometimes we all need help identifying unconscious motives that drive our behavior (and these motives have to be made concious), clients are the only experts on themselves and are able transform behaviors by consciously transforming the way they perceive situations.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I find it helpful at times to think of the "self" sometimes as made up of "parts." Identifying these parts and loosening their rigidity if they are problemmatic can be extremely helpful.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
So much of what we do when we rush through the day is automatic and unconscious, and therefore not deeply satisfying. I often practice mindfulness techniques with clients to help them become more aware of what they are doing and why they are doing it. Being more intentional and conscious about one's choices lead to greater self control and self acceptance.