New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Therapist in NY, CT and PA with over 33 years of clinical expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Grief and Bereavement Therapy, Geriatrics and Palliative Care. I have worked in private practice, hospital, community facilities, client's homes and remote telehealth settings. My credentials include Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) from 1995 to present, Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker (ACHP-SW) from 2012 to present, and Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G) from 2016 to present. I want to understand "what matters most to you" and look forward to connecting with you soon.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our first session (the initial consultation), I will be gathering a lot of information from you as we get to know each other. The format of this “intake” session will be different then the subsequent future sessions. We will talk about your symptoms, concerns and personal challenges, family history, medical history, medications and “what matters most to you” to help guide us in future sessions. Together, we will create a treatment plan with short term and long term goals and complete and review an assessment for anxiety and depression. These assessments will occur at frequent intervals throughout the future sessions to help assess ongoing symptoms, coping and measure the growth you make as we continue to work together. Sessions are conducted via video through the Grow platform which is HIPPA compliant. The intake session and future sessions typically last 60 minutes.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My strengths draw from over 33 years of experience working in a variety of settings with diverse clients and learning something valuable from everyone I have worked with over the years. Focusing on what is most important to you guides our sessions together. My style is warm, compassionate, relational, and collaborative. My approach is evidenced based and personalized to meet your needs.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is: A patient or a loved one who needs some extra support coping with a new medical diagnosis, navigating a chronic illness or complex advanced illness, an adult caregiver juggling the simultaneous demands of caregiving needs for aging parents, adult children and / or grandchildren who can’t remember the last time they had some “me time” and could benefit from some “care for the caregiver”, and / or someone struggling with age related life transitions such as “an empty nest”, retirement, change in health status, and / or the loss of a loved one.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have been incorporating CBT into my practice for years helping clients to identify negative thought patterns and working together to cognitively restructure thoughts, feelings and behaviors while enhancing coping skills and focusing on current concerns and goals. CBT is a structured and goal oriented short term therapy.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have been incorporating Acceptance and Commitment therapy into my practice for years encouraging clients to stay in the present (mindfulness) without judgment, accepting uncomfortable feelings and emotions, and focusing on what matters most to the client to help reduce anxiety and improve overall coping.
Grief Therapy
I have used grief therapy in my practice for years as a Palliative Care and Geriatrics trained social worker, helping clients to navigate the complex physical, emotional and spiritual changes after a significant loss or life changing medical diagnosis or chronic illness and through life transitions to improve overall coping while trying to live with the “new normal.”