LCSW, 23 years of experience
Reaching out can be the most difficult thing to do when dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression or ptsd. Any of these things can make even the simplest things extremely difficult, calling a friend, going outside, self-care, and sometimes just getting out of bed and taking a shower can seem daunting. I have learned that having had my own past struggles in life, I can truly understand the struggles my clients are going through and always strive to treat them the way I wanted to be treated from the clinicians I have worked with. I am a genuine person who has a passion for helping people learn to manage their lives, so that they are not just surviving but thriving.
During our first session, I would like to hear what has brought you to therapy at this time. The struggles your are facing and what your hopes are for your time in therapy. From that information we can create a plan with goals to guide us in our time together.
I believe my experiences of working with individuals that have faced trauma in their lives combined with my own personal journey of overcoming trauma, lends to a genuine, comfortable, open minded view of understanding, compassion, and unwavering support.
Individuals who have been victimized, gone through trauma, and are finding it difficult to walk through their everyday life need a non-judgemental, safe space to share their experiences. and work side by side with a clinician to find ways to take care of themselves as they move forward in their journey. I empower people to learn and understand the ways that best work for them, so long after they leave therapy, they have tools that will assist them throughout their lives.
I have been working with DBT for the past 10 years in both my private practice and facility based placements in which I have worked. I find that teaching the tools to my clients help them to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic disorders, trauma, PTSD, and suicide ideations.
CBT is especially useful in helping clients gain knowledge in the behaviors that can place them in situations that affect them negatively. With the knowledge of what is not working for a client, I work alongside them to find other ways to approach situations that will give them a more positive outcome.
Having worked with victims of violent crimes for the past 15 years, I have found that trauma comes in many forms and individuals are able to thrive with support, compassion and information on how to go from being a victim to a survivor.
I have found great success in the use of this method when working with individuals suffering from depression and/or anxiety, as well as individuals battling addictions. To understand what and how control works in our lives lead to an understanding of acceptance and then creating change in the aspects of situations we do have control over.
I use this method in every client I work with, alongside any other method I might find helpful for that client. I believe that instead of looking at what is "wrong" with someone, I like to come from the perspective of building on the strengths an individual holds.