Hi! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Tallahassee, Florida. Although originally from NJ, I received my combined Masters and Education Specialist degrees from Florida State University and have been practicing here for 11 years. I love working with others and watching their growth when people feel supported and validated. I use an integrative approach with emphasis on CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Client-Centered Therapy. I am also trained in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy to better help individuals with OCD and have received basic training in EMDR with the goal of working towards certification.
In our first session I will gather some background information and discuss with you what your expectations and goals are for therapy. Often times, clients are nervous in that first session, so I like to use humor and find shared interests to help ease anxiety and build a positive therapeutic rapport.
I try to use an authentic, compassionate and nonjudgmental approach when helping clients explore and resolve whatever issues they may be struggling with when they reach out for therapy. It's hard to ask for help, and I want each client to feel as comfortable as possible when they are working with me.
I utilize CBT to help clients to identify, challenge, and reframe unhealthy thinking patterns that often contribute to undesired behaviors.
I utilize DBT with clients to help establish healthy boundaries with others, learn how to tolerate and regulate negative emotions, and practice mindfulness.
I have completed basic training in EMDR from an EMDRIA-approved program. I utilize EMDR to help clients process and heal from trauma and long-term held negative beliefs about themselves.
I have received basic training in ERP. I utilize ERP to help clients overcomes their symptoms of OCD through exposure and preventing compulsions.
I utilize SBFT when therapy sessions are limited to help the client best address their presenting issue as efficiently as possible, or if a minor situation arises outside of the main presenting problem.