New to Grow
I am a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervisor designation (LPCC-S) with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University. Before counseling, I was a teacher. I am authentic with my clients and feel that counseling does not need to feel cold or clinical. I am an EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist. My approach to therapy includes meeting the client where they are. I believe the most important part of therapy is feeling comfortable with your therapist since there is a lot of vulnerability in talking about difficult aspects of our lives.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In the first session, I want to get to know you. I will also do what I can to help you feel comfortable and safe, so that you feel comfortable opening up to me.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am my authentic self in session. I want my clients to feel comfortable talking to me and sharing their vulnerabilities with me, so I try to make my clients feel as calm and relaxed as they can in this space. I am known for my laughter in session, as I feel like it is important and healing to be able to laugh. I am well-trained and experienced in this field, yet I am not focused on using all sorts of clinical language, unless it is necessary.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I enjoy working with clients who have anxiety or have experienced trauma. I have a special place in my heart for those who have experienced childhood trauma. I also enjoy helping those who struggle with self esteem to develop self compassion and recognize their worth as a human being. As a former teacher, I also work well with those in the educational field because I can understand and empathize with stressors in an out of the classroom.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients recognize the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Then we practice challenging and reframing thoughts, which in turn improve feelings, and behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT has many helpful tools to help manage emotions. I use DBT to help my clients practice mindfulness, regulate emotions, practice radical acceptance, and practice distress tolerance.
EMDR
I am an EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist. I use EMDR to help client's work through trauma and anxiety. Together we create a plan to develop specific a target(s) based on past memories or experiences using a negative cognition that defines how you think/feel right now and a positive cognition, which is the goal of how you want to think/feel about the situation.
Interpersonal
I believe that building trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship is most important. I provide an authenticity, judgment free environment so my clients feel comfortable. Vulnerability is hard, and it is also so important in order to heal and grow.
Trauma Informed Care
I am a trauma informed counselor, and I use different tools in session to help you process and work through their trauma.