New to Grow
Some of my clients talk about the challenges of sharing past trauma with others because they feel like it is "too much" and they've had negative experiences with the reactions of other helpers. I worked for 20 years in substance abuse programs and mental health roles in correctional facilities. In these roles, I worked to provide dignity, skills, and accountability for individuals in custody in order to aid in creating change both for them individually and increasing community safety. This experience has been instrumental for me in understanding and being able to sit with the pain of others. My experience has really allowed for me to hold healing space for these folks because I don't have judgment or a personal reaction to stories and expressions of trauma due to my experiences. I describe my style as being pretty down to earth, neurodivergent affirming, and creative. I am direct and clear in pointing out areas for growth and sharing patterns of thinking or behavior that increase challenges for clients as well as identifying progress and change. I have been working in therapy specifically since 2021 and started my own practice in 2024. I provide ADHD assessments and WPATH gender affirming care assessments as well as therapy with CBT, DBT, and EMDR frameworks. My core values have always been built around helping others, creating authentic and caring spaces, and (to quote Gandhi) being the change I'd like to see in the world.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In my first session, I like to spend a little bit of time finding out why someone has come into therapy and what has been challenging for them. I complete a Behavioral Health Assessment which includes asking questions about the different aspects of a person's life: relationships, education, employment, mental health symptoms, and upbringing. When using insurance, we need to discuss symptoms and work on a diagnosis that both the client feels comfortable with and is supported by diagnostic criteria. As far as sharing trauma, I tell my clients that they can share as little or as much as they want initially. I say this because talking about past trauma can be challenging and sometimes people need to build trust with another person before they feel comfortable or ready to share deeper aspects of experiences. I see the assessment as a way to start building a relationship with my clients, but I also know that it is only the first step. I want people to feel as comfortable as possible when sharing parts of their lives that often have experiences of shame, distress, or discomfort involved.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
As I shared earlier, I believe that my experience has helped me develop deep empathetic skills that provide a healing space to sit through the darkness with my clients. I have clear boundaries that help people feel safe in sharing things that they may have never felt comfortable sharing in previous relationships or therapeutic relationships. I am very excited when people make small and big changes and see the impact of these in their lives. I love to talk about what is going right as much as talking through challenges. I have a lot of neurodivergent clients who have given me feedback that I am a clinician that has heard them and worked to understand what they are saying. Most of these clients have not had experiences of feeling understood in this way and it helps them open and see themselves as worthy and deserving of taking (and creating) their space in the world. I am a big fan of DBT and love to share skills that help people learn how to express themselves and increase capacity to experience "big feelings". When I was trained in EMDR, I was so excited to see how profound this modality changes the distress around past memories and gives people the space to make new choices in their lives and thinking patterns. I love providing these resources to clients and see the changes unfold.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I love working with people who want to learn skills to manage their emotional well-being, get unstuck in their lives, and create an authentic and meaningful life that is worth living for. I work with a lot of neurodivergent and/or LGTBQ+ folx to find ways of creating spaces and lives that support their needs and increase positive life experiences. I love to work with clients that are motivated and open minded to try new things. I don't expect every skill to work for everyone, but I do know that there are skills that work.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT in sessions to aid with reframing thinking patterns in order to reduce intensity of emotions and stressors. Sometimes we need to talk ourselves through things that feel challenging in order to increase our tolerance of discomfort.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I love sharing DBT skills to aid with coping and grounding. These skills are structured and flexible (an interesting combination) and really increase emotion regulation and support.
EMDR
I use EMDR and Flash Technique as ways to reduce distress around past painful and traumatic memories. This has been so life changing for my clients.