LCSW, 27 years of experience
Hello, I am an experienced bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Illinois. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work. I have been practicing for over 27 years. I have helped children, families, teens, and adults of all ages live a meaningful and satisfying life. My style as a clinician is to be actively engaged with my client in therapy. To offer practical solutions and techniques at each session so that the client can implement in their daily life. My belief system about my role as a therapist is to keep my clients engaged and motivated to make changes that can lead to making progress. I will help my client shift their mindset to live in the present with an understanding that the past is an opportunity to learn from it but not to dwell on. I will help my client develop a self awareness of how to live the most authentic version of themselves. I use strategies such as assertive communication & boundaries setting, and self talk to help my client develop a sense of self and how they view those around them. I am an empathic and a compassionate listener, kind and warm. I aim to develop a trusting and non-judgement clinical therapeutic relationship with my client. I know you have many options when searching for a therapists and this process can be overwhelming but I praise you for your strength and courage in taking action steps to seek help. I know this process can be difficult and confusing but you’ve come this far and don't look back and keep moving forward in your life's journey!
in the first session it will be for introductions and discuss my role and create an open and safe space for any questions or expectations you may have of me. The bulk of the first session will be for you to discuss the challenges that are mostly impacting your life and help create a plan for follow-up sessions.
I am an active listener which sounds simple but it's crucial to understanding my clients and meet them where they are in life. I have much compassion and an ability to create an environment for my client without judgement and one of empowerment. I have many years of experience as a clinician and have helped many become motivated to make changes and improve how they feel which in return influences their behaviors and actions which then creates the kind of life you want and deserve to live.
I enjoy working with those that are open to and committed to improving their lives and making positive changes. Regardless of what is bringing my client to therapy there is willingness to learn new ways of approaching life challenges which in return creates change in yourself and those around you. if you have made it this far in seeking help you have already overcame some hurdles and are on your way to breaking the cycle or patterns that are not serving you anymore.
I have 27 years of utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with client's of all ages and backgrounds and have seen many improve their lives. I will utilize CBT to support my client in challenging maladaptive thought process and cognitions this can lead to desired behavioral changes. I will give my client practical tools and techniques to assist my client to promote change and improve overall life satisfaction. The focus will be on my client's current issues and challenges and finding ways to manage them effectively. My commitment is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where my client will not feel judged and will feel supported.
I have experience working with a diverse population of clients and using cultural sensitive therapy to respect and promote differences during therapy session. As a clinician, I aim to be aware of my own biases as we all have them and gain an understanding of how culture has an influence on my client's beliefs, values and behaviors. I believe any form of treatment method needs to embrace and promote what makes a person's experience unique rather than the "one shoe fits all" approach . I seek to incorporate a client's cultural background, beliefs, and experiences into the therapeutic process to seek an understanding how these factors might influence someone's mental health and tailor treatment strategies accordingly. These includes looking at aspects of the person which may include race, ethnicity, gender, ageism, sexual orientation, religion, and educational and socioeconomic status.
A person's spiritual faith is critical in providing therapy that embraces someone's identity in therapy. I have experience working with client's who have the opportunity to incorporate the teachings and scriptures in the bible when facing life challenges as source of support and healing. My client will have space to discuss their relationship with God and the role that it has in their lives. Therapy sessions will seek to incorporate a person's religious believes, spiritual practices, and church community using it as a tool to promote healing and personal growth.
Loss of a loved one can be one of the most traumatic life changing experiences a person can have and most difficult. I have worked with clients who have had sudden or expected loss of a loved one and it can feel overwhelming and a surreal state of mind. My priority when working with grief and loss is to create a safe and comforting space to allow my clients to express their feelings towards the loss and explore their grief. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to grief the loss of a loved one. I encourage my client to go through the process of grieving as opposed to not doing so. It is important that my client feels supported to help process and cope with the emotional and psychological impact of the loss. I use techniques such as compassionate and active listening, validation of emotions, and exploring thoughts and behaviors related to the loss. Coping with grief can be different for each individual and validation of such is very important to create a safe and supportive environment that encourages expression of the loss.
Sometimes therapy does not have to be a long term treatment modality but rather short and solution base approach. I have experience with clients who are facing current life stressors and need guidance in identifying and building solutions to problems by emphasizing on their strengths and future goals. The client is encouraged to actively work towards positive change by focusing on what they can do, not what they can't do. My client is at the center in this treatment modality and is considered the expert of their own life.