LMFT, 16 years of experience
I have been licensed since 2011, and this is a second career for me. I bring a lot of life experience into my practice, including my own experiences as a recipient of psychotherapy. I have found that talk therapy is usually slow and inefficient, and as a result I have sought out other techniques that help people go faster and deeper. I am certified as a hypnotherapist and I use other various techniques
The first session is usually a get-acquainted session to get an idea of the scope and nature of the problem, and get an idea of how difficult the problems are. The first session also allows the client to find out if they are comfortable with me as a therapist, as that is a very important factor in the success of therapy. I will explain how I work and what tools and techniques I use.
My strengths as a counselor are a non-judgmental attitude, my experience with my own mental health challenges and how I overcame them, and being an older counselor with life experience. I tend to be more directive. I ask questions, give suggestions, assign homework, and actively collaborate with my clients to explore their emotions and triggers.
Clients who are dealing with traumatic events, both recent and from the distant past. Clients suffering from depression, anxiety, and anger. Couples dealing with frequent arguments, communication problems, hidden expectations, blowups over seemingly trivial issues, long-standing resentment, etc.
Brainspotting can be used to bypass the thinking part of the brain, and reduce the reactivity and pain located in the emotional part of the brain. It can be very useful for exploring the emotional roots of problematic behaviors and emotions that may result from events in childhood or relationships and from recent traumatic events.
I attempt to bring couples together by improving communication and healing past misunderstandings. Often people are expressing feelings that result from past traumatic experiences in childhood or previous relationships.
Hypnotherapy uses a variety of techniques that have in common the ability to bypass the intellect and directly affect the emotional brain. Often this the part of the brain called the amygdala to re-evaluate what it perceives as dangerous and letting go of triggers and fears that are no longer valid.
This therapy involves helping people in relationships to recognize when they are unconsciously re-enacting parts of their childhood, in hopes of "getting it right this time," and to move on with their lives.