LMHC, 18 years of experience
Hello! I'm a highly qualified and compassionate Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I obtained a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College in 2005. Since then, I have gained invaluable experience across a diverse range of settings. With over 18 years of hands-on experience, I have worked in outpatient settings, schools, DCF contracted group homes, and spent nearly 14 years as an adjustment counselor in a school environment. Working in a school environment allowed me to support a diverse population of students, colleagues and parents and to constantly adapt to a fast paced and ever changing environment. I bring My deep well of wisdom and a naturally approachable, genuine, and kind demeanor to every counseling session. I understand that taking the first steps towards counseling can be a challenging endeavor. As a practitioner who values the therapeutic relationship, I am committed to creating a safe and nurturing space where you can feel comfortable and truly heard.
In our first session, we will spend some time starting to build rapport, which I feel is crucial in a therapeutic relationship. We will discuss challenges and concerns to work on over time.
I want to create a unique plan for each client in order to obtain measurable results. I encourage feedback from clients on what is and isn't working. My approachable and non judgmental nature helps clients open up and feel safe to genuinely express themselves and engage in therapy. I have worked with individuals from many different cultures and backgrounds and understand that therapy looks different for everyone.
I enjoy working with young adults and adults who feel anxious, stuck in patterns that create problems, are experiencing life changes, sadness and looking to improve self-awareness. I want to work with the client on their treatment and solutions.
I use CBT to help clients understand how their thoughts may be impacting their behaviors. Gaining self-awareness into cognitive distortions and learning ways to reframe one's thoughts to improve wellbeing.
Learning how to be more present in the moment and have more self-awareness to respond to situations rather than react. Using mindfulness as healthy coping strategy. This does not mean meditating for lengthy periods of time.
Helping clients to recognize and focus on their strengths in order to enhance overall wellbeing.
Using a variety of DBT Skills in order to help clients be more present, ground themselves, have healthier interpersonal relationships and regulate and understand emotions better.
Using validation, empathy, acceptance of the client to help the client understand themselves better in order to be part knowing what they need to do to reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life.