(she/her)
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who has experience with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, substance use/addition, co-occurring disorders, and age related illnesses. I have previously worked in office based setting providing substance use services and most recently in long term nursing facility proving care to residents, their families and the staff. We work together to create a person centered treatment plan with you in the drivers seat. I have over 10 years experience in the mental health field affording me many resources, techniques, and a very sympathetic as well as empathetic approach to treatment.
The first session sets the tone for what services will look like in the future. This session is where you get a feel for my style and approaches so you can determine if the counselor/patient fit is right for you. During the first session we will complete you diagnostic assessment. This allows for me to ask specific questions about you past, present, and future to obtain a wholistic picture of you, your experience, symptoms, and what your expectations are for services. Please plan on this session taking 60-90 minutes. I encourage patients to ask questions of me so that they are empowered to make the best choices for themselves. After all, you don't know me and I don't know you. I am happy to answer questions about my education, experience, approaches/techniques, psychoeducation, and of course pets. However, in effort to maintain a professional relationship, please refrain from asking personal questions as I will have to politely decline to answer. This experience is about you, not me!!
I have a very eclectic approach to treatment. Each client served is different therefore the resources, techniques, and treatment will be different. This experience will grow and change over the course of treatment as we dig deeper into the root cause of symptoms therefore a different approach may be needed from session to session. My goal for you in therapy is to equip you with the tools you need to recognize, cope, and become/stay the best version of you! How we get there is up to you. For some it is worksheets, homework, and research. For others it is exploring how past/early experience shape the current. While for others it is discovering a coping skill that will help them "get through this" moment.
I have experience working with adults who struggles with addiction/substance use and co-occurring disorders especially depression and anxiety. I have recent experience working with individuals in nursing homes and long term care struggling with dementia, life transition, aging related concerns, physical health concerns grief, depression and anxiety. I have served medical care personal aiding in preventing burn out, coping with loss and trauma that occurs during the work day. While individual therapy is preferred by this clinician, there is a time and place for group and family sessions. The ideal patient will have a strong desire for change/acceptance and be willing to create a working therapist/client relationship for positive results.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Focuses on recognizing triggers, symptoms, impact so that thought stopping and reframing of negatives can be learned/developed/implemented to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and many other mental health concerns
Grief Therapy
Allows patients to openly explore all the stages of loss (not just death) in a safe, healthy and meaningful manner.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
This treatment method affords the patient the ability to recognize emotions and develop a greater understanding of how their past experiences, family, environment and many other factors play a role in their cognition and mental health.
Eclectic
This is my favorite treatment method as it incorporates many styles, methods, and techniques creating a truly person-centered approach to the counseling experience.
Supportive
This approach is utilized to improve self confidence by providing validation, reassurance, praise and encouragement. It is often combined with other treatment methods