I have great compassion and dedication to helping people who have challenges navigating through life. Whether its grief and loss or just trying to find balance between your own trauma and self-care, your mental wellness is my top priority. My experience supporting individuals through emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges comes from me counseling students and adults alike. I am skilled in conducting assessments, developing personalized treatment plans, and utilizing evidence-based therapeutic approaches to foster growth and healing. My expertise includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. I enjoy establishing strong therapeutic alliances, maintaining high ethical standards, and fostering safe, supportive environments for clients of diverse backgrounds. I am committed to ongoing professional development and culturally responsive care. Ready to take the first step towards better mental wellness? You matter and your feelings are validated here! So, book an appointment today and know I am here to support you every step of the way!
In your first therapy session, you can expect a welcoming and collaborative environment where I will guide you through the initial steps of the therapeutic process. Here's what typically happens: Upon arrival, you would be asked if you have completed necessary forms, including consent and confidentiality agreements. These documents ensure your privacy and outline the therapeutic relationship's boundaries. Then I will introduce myself and explain the structure of your therapy. Also, I will discuss the frequency of sessions, cancellation policies, and what you can expect moving forward. Next, you will have the opportunity to share what brought you to therapy, your current challenges, and any specific goals you have. This helps me understand your needs and begin to tailor my approach accordingly. Then I will explain the limits of confidentiality, ensuring you understand when information may be shared, such as in cases of imminent harm. This is crucial for us building trust. Then we will collaborate to identify short-term and long-term goals for therapy. These goals will guide the focus of your sessions and help measure progress. The initial assessment will include me asking questions about your personal history, mental health background, and current concerns. This assessment provides context for your situation and informs your treatment plan. Depending on your needs, I may introduce techniques or coping strategies to address immediate concerns. This could include relaxation exercises, mindfulness practices, or cognitive reframing. Last, we will end the session by me summarizing key points discussed and outline the next steps. You'll schedule future sessions and discuss any assignments or reflections to work on before the next meeting. Our first session is about establishing a foundation for your therapeutic journey. It's normal to feel a range of emotions, and it's okay to share only what you're comfortable with. I am here to support you at your own pace.
My unique approach of listening and helping my clients feel comfortable to talk about their challenges is what I strive to do. My goal is to get to the root of the problem and help you find the best solution and techniques to help you get where you want to be mentally. This results in you having a more joyful and fulfilled life and you living your best life through careful steps and counsel.
My ideal clients for therapy include people who suffer with grief, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related issues. With grief that is individuals experiencing prolonged or complicated grief who are having difficulty accepting a significant loss, leading to intense yearning, guilt, or avoidance. Their risk factors can include sudden or traumatic deaths, lack of social support, and a history of unresolved losses. My therapeutic approaches will focus on helping clients process emotions and find meaning in their experiences. When it comes to clients who are suffering with depression and who often have persistent sadness, low energy, and a diminished sense of self-worth, my aim is to address negative thought patterns and build coping strategies. Helping clients who suffer from anxiety and trauma such as excessive worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms like a racing heart as well as trauma events such as abuse, neglect, or violence is my specialty. I love giving therapeutic interventions that focus on identifying triggers, challenging irrational thoughts, and developing relaxation techniques. Also, giving trauma-informed care emphasizes safety, trust, and empowerment to my clients and helping them recognize the impact of trauma on their mental health is always a plus.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) during therapy sessions by helping clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress or unhelpful behaviors. I guide clients through structured exercises like cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and journaling to promote healthier thinking and coping skills. My CBT sessions are goal-oriented, with homework assignments often used to reinforce skills learned in session and track progress over time.
I help clients gradually recount their traumatic experiences in a safe environment, allowing for emotional processing and integration. Exposure techniques, both imaginal and in vivo, are used to reduce avoidance behaviors by helping my clients gradually confront trauma-related cues. During therapy I emphasize the importance of involving the clients caregivers through conjoint sessions, enhancing communication and support. My ultimate goal focuses on enhancing safety and future development, helping clients build resilience and a sense of control over their lives.
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop psychological flexibility by fostering acceptance of their thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with their values. During ACT sessions, I incorporate exercises and mindfulness techniques to facilitate processes that include but are not limited to acceptance, values and committed action. The goal is to help clients live a meaningful life by accepting what is out of their personal control and committing to action that enriches their life.