LMHC, 12 years of experience
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical mental Health Counselor who has been in professional counseling practice since December 2013, and in private practice since October 2016. I have worked with clients from all walks of life and various situations. I hold a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, awarded in 2012 with Graduate Honors. Additionally, I continuously participate in continuing education, to increase my skills and knowledge in the field, in order to help clients in the most efficient and effective ways possible. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, going to movies, and spending time with my friends.
Your first session with me, will be largely organic. We will go through the paperwork you have completed, go through some basic ground rules for receiving services, verify of your identity to make sure that no one else is trying to impersonate you for therapy services ( :-) ), and then in a casual relaxed way explore some of the issues that you are coming to therapy to address. I will invite you to be open, and allow yourself to not feel like you need to be overly structured. During this first session, we will get to know each other as client and therapist, forming the initial connection that I hope will be a strong bond as we begin working together to help you succeed in living life and overcoming your challenges.
I think what has helped me the most as a professional therapist, is that I do my best to operate from a concept called unconditional positive regard (UPR). This is basically recognizing your unique self, and your ability to be authentic, with 100% acceptance from me as your provider, which helps to cultivate safe space. You can be your real self, with all of your flaws and imperfections, knowing that I am here to assist you without judgment, or pressure, to make a certain decision on an issue. I also work hard to help clients feel safe and self empowered by being non-directive, open, supportive, offering insight with feedback that could be helpful to a client. My ability to breakdown large concepts for clients to understand, is also a strength in my professional practice work. I will be honest and kind, patient, and not pushy. A sense of humor is used appropriately during our sessions, to donate life's follies. I will laugh with you, but never at you. You will not be demeaned or ridiculed. I recognize that the therapeutic process is on your timetable, giving you the space to achieve what you wish to focus on in your sessions.
I tend to feel successful working with clients who are preteens, teens, and adults. I attribute much of my effectiveness in clinical work, to accepting clients as they are and where they are in their life. My goal is to help them feel empowered and safe to address the issues they bring to therapy. I also find it successful in the partnership with a client, when they are open and receptive to new ideas, and willing to take a risk in doing something different to achieve a desired goal.
This is the common treatment method used in this practice, to assist clients in working on the issues they bring to therapy. Other evidenced-based approaches are also used with clients.
This is my personal professional clinical approach to therapy, which supports the other approaches used in the practice. It honors the client's authenticity and their ability to formulate solutions to solve their own problems. It is a strength-based approach, that recognizes and supports the client's inherent ability to be self empowerment in resolving their issues.