New to Grow
I have been a practicing social-worker for over 35 years. I attended Rhode Island College School of Social- Work, graduated in 1989. I have an extensive history of working with patients in outpatient mental health settings. I have provided individual and group treatment for chronically mentally ill individual . I have also worked in inpatient care. I am currently in private practice for the past 10 years.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
I am looking forward to meeting and knowing you. Thank you for taking that step to seek help. I would like to know how you have managed to cope that's far despite the presenting issues. I also want to hear about your strengths and supports that you leaned on. During our first session we are going to talk about your reasons for seeking help. We will also talk about your desired outcomes for treatment . Together we will identify options and strategies to get there. I want you to feel hopeful and happier as a result of our collaborative work.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I believe as individuals we are worth more than the sum total of or mistakes, shortcomings or struggles and that therapy can hep uncover life's endless possibilities. I believe in meeting you where you are and proceeding from there. I have a history of working in forensic mental health settings. I offer compassionate, non judgmental and respectful and welcoming. I have experience helping individuals dealing with grief and loss, prolonged grief, trauma informed treatment, post-traumatic stress disorder, problem gambling, couples therapy. Depression and Anxiety.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My goal is to provide a warm caring supportive space. I aim to foster a client centered compassionate and transparent environment. I would like to collaborate with client and have them fully vest in their in treatment. I will respectfully continue to challenge them to realize their full potential . I am passionate working with individuals 17-65 year old.
Gottman method
Explain to clients that this is an over 30 year research based treatment that has helped clients and can predict what marriage/ relationship will succeed or fail . Clients are helped to be aware of and develop patterns of behavior, attitude and communication that would foster a positive and a successful and stable relationship. Particular attention is paid to secure attachment styles and how emotions and behavior affect that and the need to repair for long term effect. Empowering the couple to take ownership of their relationship and learning how to soothes themselves and each other.
Trauma-Focused CBT
People can experience trauma in their lives but not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. The belief is that mental health problems are associated with maladaptive ways of thinking and learning. There is an inter connection between how we think feel and act. This type of therapy can help patient adjust their thinking patterns to foster/ produce stronger coping skills. Help patient process what the trauma holds for them, others and world around them. Helping them figure out the most acceptable view would be . Reinforcing the new cognitive appraisal of the situation. Creating a trauma narrative slowly enabling the client to connect with the trauma, cognitively, emotionally or somatically without being overwhelmed. At the end hope client will assimilate what he/she has learned and have a better understanding of self and the world around them. Have a new understanding/ identity of self and future oriented.
Grief Therapy
We all experience and express grief differently. Grief is a natural response to loss. Grief never goes away , we learn to live with the loss. Time heals some wounds. When the normal grieving process becomes stuck you might be experiencing prolonged grief. There is no gradual relief of the intense pain of loss. The initial intensity of the loss is all consuming and distressing months and years later as it were in the immediate aftermath.Prolonged grief can be similar to depression with distinct characteristics .People with prolonged grief has urgency and lingers much longer more than it does for most people. Most struggle to believe the death really happened and avoid reminders it did. Other forms can apply to other loss and physical limitations grief breakups, physical health changes, losing jobs etc. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is indicated for PGD - help for processing and reintegrating the positive memories and acceptance, restoring biological stability