Kerri Lynn Gavin
I have been working in the area of behavioral health since 1990, have various degrees from educational institutions, worked several internships for required training, helped move clients from a Developmental Center into homes to live and be a part of the community, have a love of
Meeting the client where they are at instead of putting clinicians agenda onto them, kindness, understanding, examples, honest, humor, compassion, empowering statements, and positive affirmations.
working with older adults, and feel I am a compassionate, kind, person who is client centered and wants to help others to become empowered, if wanted. I have been a social worker for several entities and before that I was a Licensed Psychiatric Technician working on a crisis unit for Sonoma county. I work best with people who have neurodivergence, ADHD and Autism.
First session
Clients can expect honesty, humor (appropriate), compassion, understanding, safe environment, confidentiality, and directness (as needed). Completing initial assessment with me, to see if there is a fit between client and myself, and if not refer to another clinician per request or suggest client find a provider who is a better match.
Strengths
Meeting the client where they are at instead of putting clinicians agenda onto them, kindness, understanding, examples, honest, humor, compassion, empowering statements, and positive affirmations. Directness to an extent, able to diagnose people with appropriate diagnoses out of the DSM 5-TR. No stigmatizations and acceptance of various behavioral conditions. Working with people who can learn to admit faults (accountability) and work towards being a better person. Successful with working with people who experience neurodiversity, ADHD and ASD.
Ideal clients
People who are neurodivergent and would like to learn more about a possible psychiatric diagnosis, like Autism, ADHD, people with cognitive limitations. Older adults with long term trauma, crisis intervention needs, or someone to discuss their lives and problems with. People who have experienced traumatic experiences in their lives, including childhood, and are being triggered in some way, to feel the same way they felt when trauma was occurring, and possible flashbacks. People who would like to learn better communication skills in life or with a partner, child, family member, office staff, or supervisor. Couples, when one was raised on East coast and other raised on west coast. People experiencing anxiety or various mental health issues, who would like to learn better coping skills or may need a referral to a higher level of care, for a medication evaluation.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have used this treatment in therapy as I became more knowledgable about acceptance and commitment in my own life, using various interventions, to assist clients in learning about psychological flexibility through mindfulness, breathing exercises, journaling, etc.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I started using CBT in 1990 when I worked at a group home for SED adolescents, for 15 years at Sonoma Developmental Center, I continue to use it to help people learn coping skills to treat symptoms that are not affectively treated with medications, and to learn more information about their diagnoses and symptoms.
Compassion-Focused
I used compassion with clients who have trauma or other psychiatric diagnoses, and appear to have low self esteem, or have not been treated with compassion in their past relationships. Emulating compassion for clients to learn as well. This seems to increase a person's trust in the therapeautic relationship.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Working with people who have experienced trauma in their lives. Using CBT to address triggers as well as Trauma informed care to process traumatic memories and work through them. Providing coping skill suggestions, to meet the client's where they are at in their lives.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Serves
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 23704