New to Grow
Hi! Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life! You have made a step seeking with therapy! I will be here to support you with every following step that you decide to take while in therapy. I have six years of experience in both Substance Abuse and Mental Health. In my years of experience I have worked with children to adults 65 or older. I implement Person-Centered Therapy techniques such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The first session will be Person-Centered and client driven with active listening skills implemented by myself. The first session also will be used to identify what brought you to therapy in addition to identifying goals of therapy. If needed, Mental Health and/or Substance use specific assessments will be conducted for a baseline assessment to monitor progress made throughout therapy.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I feel one of my greatest strengths is the level of empathy I have for my clients. This comes from personal and professional experience with individuals with Substance Abuse and Mental Health for many years. As an LCSW, I also bring a case management component to therapy focusing on the person holistically. Focusing on the personal as a whole involves a holistic, "Whole Person Framework" approach integrating mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It requires nurturing authentic self-care, establishing healthy boundaries, pursuing personal growth, and cultivating meaningful connections, aiming for a balanced, purposeful life rather than just professional achievement.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I feel as though my skill set best serves individuals 16 + with a substance misuse and/or mental health.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing (MI) uses targeted techniques—primarily summarized as OARS (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, Summarizing)—to help individuals resolve ambivalence and boost intrinsic motivation for change. These methods encourage "change talk" while avoiding confrontation, empowering clients to identify their own reasons and plans for behavior modification.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques are active, goal-oriented strategies used to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Key methods include cognitive restructuring to challenge negative thoughts, behavioral activation to boost mood, and exposure therapy to reduce fear. These tools are often practiced through journaling, role-playing, and mindfulness to improve coping skills
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT works by balancing two opposing forces: acceptance of one's experience and change-oriented strategies to replace harmful behaviors. It is rooted in the "bio-social theory," which posits that some people experience emotions more intensely, and if raised in an environment that invalidates those feelings, they struggle to regulate them. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, structured, talk therapy designed to manage intense emotions, reduce self-harm, and improve relationships by combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder (BPD), it is effective for PTSD, eating disorders, and depression
Supportive
Being supportive involves meeting the client where they are with no judgement. Additionally, providing a safe space for the client to express themselves.