New to Grow
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s degree in counseling psychology. I value therapy as being a collaborative process and strive to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgmental environment for my clients. I use a holistic approach and aim to be culturally sensitive, catering to each individuals’ unique worldview. Through therapy, my goal is to help clients feel empowered and validated so they can increase self-efficacy, decrease problematic symptoms, gain insight and self-awareness and learn how to heal in order to have a more positive life experience. I use a strength- based, person centered approach. I am interested in helping people who struggle with anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem issues, emotional disturbances (including anger management concerns), and/or are trying to cope with situational life stressors. I use a blend of compassion-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy as well as a solution focused model where appropriate.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During the first several sessions, rapport is being built between the two of us. This relationship lays the groundwork for the work we are going to be doing together and is very important. During the very first session, I will gather information about you and conduct a standard intake (gather historical information, symptoms you might be dealing with currently, etc.). We will create some goals together and a treatment plan as well.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I truly care about my clients and love what I do! It's a great privilege to get to help people in this way- one that I don't take for granted. I also think I'm an attuned listener, patient and meet clients where they are at. This is a judgement free zone.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I'm open to working with most anyone, but I feel I work best with individuals who are ready to engage in the therapy process in a collaborative manner. In other words, you have a good idea of why you are coming to therapy and have goals in mind you want to work on.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I've been using cbt with clients for years and have seen how cbt skills can bring about big changes for clients. It is a more structured approach and gives clients concrete tools to use in order to help them not only understand more about their thinking patterns, but how to effect lasting change in the way that they think (in regards to negative/anxious thought patterns).
Compassion Focused
I love weaving self-compassion focused skills into therapy sessions. These skills can help clients to improve emotional resiliency, decrease shame, improve self-worth and overall, decrease distressing symptoms.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is great because it teaches specific skills for clients to improve emotional regulation, learn how to tolerate discomfort, and improve relationships. The mindfulness components of dbt can help clients to achieve more mental clarity and to stay more grounded in the "here and now".