Hello there! I am a licensed mental health counselor with over 10 years of experience. I have been in the mental health and social services field for 20 years now. I believe in treating everyone with respect and compassion. I have worked with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, addiction, low self-esteem, anger management, domestic violence/ abuse, stress management, communication issues, family/ relationship conflicts, gender identity and transition, grief/bereavement, and other life stressors. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Grief Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Therapy is a journey and a team effort. My main goal is to help you recognize that the most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. Together we will work on attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values (connecting your body, mind, and soul), modifying your beliefs and behaviors, building or enhancing your relationship with others, and achieving your goals. I look forward to starting or continuing this journey with you.
In our first session together, clients can expect an easygoing conversation in a compassionate, empathic, and safe space. We will review their intake history (biopsychosocial assessment). We will work on addressing the reasons for them seeking therapy, goals for therapy, and any issues that they may be experiencing. We will also work in developing a personalized treatment plan that addresses their individual needs and goals.
Therapy is not a 'one size fit all'. I believe in meeting clients where they are. In other words, providing individualized care and helping you create a wellness plan that is beneficial to you. We will work on attaining tools and resources to help you be the best version of yourself. Overall, my goal is to assist you in achieving greater self-awareness, problem-solving abilities, and emotional resilience, leading to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
Therapy is work. It can be a challenging process (at times). It requires honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to confront difficult emotions and experiences. It may also involve facing uncomfortable truths about oneself (and/ or others) and making changes that can be hard to make. But ultimately it can lead to growth, healing, and positive change. It is important for individuals to take their own time and make the decision to seek therapy when they feel ready and comfortable. I am available to clients (16+) who are looking into making realistic and effective changes in their lives. If you are dealing with mental health issues, life transitions/ stressors, feel stuck, overwhelmed, or concerned and are ready and committed to working on improving your quality of life, you have come to the right profile. My approach focuses on understanding clients’ unique needs and challenges, identifying their strengths, and developing an individualized plan to achieve their goals. I help clients to build coping skills, improve communication, and develop healthy relationships, among other things.
CBT has been beneficial in helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. By identifying, challenging, and changing their cognitive distortions, clients are able to develop healthier coping strategies.
ACT has been beneficial in helping clients better understand their relationship with their thoughts and feelings. Clients learn to accept that their thoughts and emotions are appropriate responses to certain situations and commit to making changes in their life that match their values.
DBT has been effective in assisting clients to better manage and regulate their emotions. It focuses on clients learning healthier ways to cope and improving their overall well-being.
Motivation Interviewing has been beneficial in helping clients explore their feelings and find their own motivations by using basic techniques (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflected listening, and summaries). It focuses on aligning their actions with their goals.
Grief therapy has been effective in assisting clients in adjusting to a loss (death of a loved one, pet, relationship, financial, health, identity, safety). It helps them identify and express their emotions, understand the stages of grief, and learn coping and self-care strategies.