Hi! Im a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. I am comfortable working with persons of color. I have a high priority for cultural respect. I have been working as a Child and Adult Therapist since 1987. I have a BA from Hope College, and a MSW from Michigan State University. I have worked as a therapist in Michigan, Washington, Illinois, and Alberta, Canada. I am currently living in both Illinois and Indiana. I use a collaborative style of therapy to help my customers rediscover lost aspects of themselves and to develop new skills for coping with new difficulties. I still work with children above age 10, teens, adults, seniors, and couples. Children always need to be seen with their care-givers.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In my first session with customers, I found out who they live with, who keeps track of them, and what they do with their time. I then ask them "What would be your best hopes for counseling?" I then may ask them how they would know things were improving by the end of the fourth session, or what a miracle day would look like! From here we begin to co-construct a desired future that will compete with whatever inner, social, or environment challenge my customer is facing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My strength as a provider is the wisdom about "attachment" that I have painstakingly been taught by my customers over the past 35 years. These are Curiosity, Acceptance, Empathy, and Playfulness. This is now the hard-earned commitment that I provide my customers. In terms of technique, I continuously ask my customers for feedback about what was helpful and what was missing. This is the best way for me to stay attuned with my customer's expectations.