I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011 with my Masters in Social Work and have since worked in a variety of settings and with different populations. Have you ever wished, "I wish I was more like (fill the blank)", or thought, "I am not good enough." We are born with a certain temperament and into a certain situation but there are things we can control. My favorite part of my job is helping people see the best parts of themselves and using their strengths to achieve their goals.
We would meet to go over basic information, provide you opportunity to ask any questions/address any concerns, go over relevant history, and then identify initial goals (s).
Having had first hand experience with anxiety, I believe it gives me an ability to understand where the person is coming from. I've been told I am a great listener and make people feel comfortable quickly. Humor is also important to help lighten the mood when appropriate and to help build the therapeutic relationship.
As someone who has struggled with anxiety my whole life and have questioned my potential and abilities, I want to be able to help you find the tools and tricks that work best for you to meet your goals. There is a lot of information out there, but not all works the same for everyone. Our time together would be spent recognizing what you hope to achieve/improve and finding the best route for you.
I have utilized CBT to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts, learn ways to adopt helpful ways of looking at things, and practice using this skill consistently.
For some clients, its also helpful to find ways to "walk towards" their anxieties rather than avoid. Allowing yourself to feel/experience strong emotions, helps to take away it's "hold" over you and allows you to move forward.
Allowing yourself to connect with the present moment in a non- judgmental way rather than our "autopilot" helps you to gain better control over your emotions/behaviors and become more intentional.
Incorporating the person's strengths vs focusing on our weaknesses helps the person feel "seen", build confidence, and feel empowered.