What do you see when you look into the mirror? If you see anything other than exactly who you are or who you want to be, accepting all your flaws for the uniqueness they are meant to be, and find that this is getting in the way of living your best life, you are in the right place. I am a dually licensed Professional Counselor and Drug & Alcohol Counselor with certifications in trauma training. My approach to counseling is to provide the space for you to explore who you are while providing guidance in your journey. This allows you to find the core issues that led to any unhappiness or struggles holding back authentic living. I look for maladaptive patterns (such as addiction, unhealthy relationships, overeating, self-sabotage, etc.) throughout your life that led to repeated outcomes in order to help you intervene them and find more helpful behaviors (coping patterns) that allow you to live in line with your values. This helps to live more authentically and get in touch with who you are, rather simply living in line with any assigned roles you were given in the past. At birth, we are a Tabula Rasa – Blank Slate - and my belief is that when beginning self-exploration or recovery journeys we become the same. Ask yourself: “Who am I?” Let me help you to begin filling in the specifics, rather than the roles!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Typically in the first session, I like to review the intake as it is not very detailed and it helps us get to know each other with less intimate details in order for the comfort and trust to begin to grow. Additionally, we will discuss what has brought you to counseling and what you would like to achieve or gain out of your experience.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
As a clinician, while working within the substance abuse population, I noted a “missing piece” and client’s inability to identify lapses/relapses. This led to exploitation of trauma and the effects on our mental health. I am very trauma trauma/traumatic stress focused, taking certification classes as well as extensive continuing education classes. My focus is focusing on the patterns that keep us trapped in past “coping” behaviors that once protected us; however, may now be creating discomfort in our lives. Examples of these patterns include eating issues, workaholics, substance use/misuse, spending/gambling, unhealthy relationships, etc. Additionally, I work with depression, anxiety, women’s issues, life changes and similar issues.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
In the last few years and overall while working in this field, I have wanted to focus on women’s issues as I feel this is a necessary area that needs addressing. Often, when discussing support systems I hear women struggling with “getting along with other women” so they say they tend to stick with men as they are “less dramatic.” After careful thought and even examination of my own life and society we have a lot of pressure put on us to be “perfect” from childhood. To meet an unachievable goal- look at female cartoon characters, models, actresses, etc. This will only be healed if we begin to support one another and this is why I love women’s issues. We would like to believe that if the outside is attractive then we feel good, but is that true? I cannot answer for anyone but I can help!