(he/they)
Hi there! I’m Drew, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in grief, trauma, substance use, and serious mental illness (SMI). I believe that through early intervention, lifestyle changes, and the right support, creating a life worth living is available to all of us, despite our histories and the stories we live in. My goal is to help you understand your behavioral patterns, their origins, and how to improve upon your daily experience in a way that is in line with the goals and values you have created in your life. My journey began with my Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Counseling, which I received from South Florida Bible College and Seminary, followed by my Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lynn University. My experience includes numerous stops in behavioral health, working in both residential mental health and substance abuse programs, as well as in outpatient at the PHP, IOP, and OP levels of care at multiple treatment facilities. My passion is working with those who haven’t seen results with typical therapies and may have felt stigmatized or unseen in typical therapeutic settings. I believe in the value of the therapeutic relationship and helping you achieve your goals, creating your own story of wellness as opposed to the stories that others have imposed upon you. My only goal is to be of service, your autonomy is my number one priority. Modalities that I am well versed in include Time Limited Psychodynamic Therapy (TLPD), Adlerian Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Integrative Harm Reduction Therapy (IHRT), which I will tailor to help the client better manage their own emotional experience and construct the best possible life for themselves. I work with teens and adults individually, and also work with couples and families.
In our first session, we'll just get to know one another and establish a working alliance.
My lived experience in the substance abuse and mental health space, psychological knowledge base, knowledge of mental health and substance abuse systems, and skill in psychodynamic counseling separate me from other counseling professionals.
The client's I like to work with usually have some therapeutic background, though were not served by standard therapists delivering standardized treatments, for a myriad of reasons. People struggling with identity integration, wrestling with meaninglessness or burnout, post-rehab or leaving 12 step communities, insightful though lacking in self compassion. Rebuilding client's narrative coherence is the use of my work.
I use a trauma informed, attachment-based lens to help you understand how your early experiences and beliefs influence your current life. In sessions, we'll explore behavioral patterns, build insight, and work towards a greater sense of purpose and connection in your day-to-day life.