In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session you will probably be nervous. It’s hard to tell a stranger on a computer monitor all the stuff that is going wrong. You will probably be a little concerned about how much to share or what to share or even if you want to talk to me. Thats ok. Your session belongs to you and you get to talk about what you want to talk about. I’m not a fan of discussing creatures without fur on their tails, but otherwise it’s all up to you. In our first session I will be curious. Some might say I will be downright nosey. I will ask you questions about what kind of things that you want to talk about as well as some basic history. You will actually have a chance to see a cheat sheet when you enroll and complete your intake forms. Those questions will help me to figure out where to start on our journey and what road to take that will get you to "better". Even though I will be asking a lot of questions, I promise that I will listen to every word you say. Yes, I have questions I need to ask, but no, your answers are not going to shock me or scare me or change my opinion of you. My promise to you is to be honest not only in your first session, but in every single step of the way. Things that will not happen during our first session: I will not think you are bad. I will not think you are strange. I will not think that your questions or issues are silly or unimportant. I will not tell you that what you say is stupid. I will absolutely not side with "them". I will always be TEAM YOU. In a nutshell, our first session is your chance to tell your story in all of it’s wonderful, terrifying, beautiful, sad and hopeful glory. I’m ready. Are you?

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I am committed to helping you meet your goals. In my time as a Social Worker I have seen situations and walked clients through experiences that no person should ever have to travel. Through all of that I have learned that life is tricky and that attacking an issue from only one side is a really good way to fail. With that in mind, I like to use a combination of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Strengths-Based/Solutions-Based Therapies, Mindfulness, and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. To summarize: If I could name my therapeutic approach it would be Gumbo-Informed Cognitive Therapy.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I LOVE PEOPLE WITH PROBLEMS. Seriously. I love for a client to come to me and say - “I have a problem”. The beautiful thing about people who tell me they have problems is that they are the folks that want to get better. What does getting better look like? -Feeling better about yourself. -Having the strength to take a shower. (I get you...some days that is a lot of work) -Living another day. -Going to the grocery store (and actually picking your items, paying for them, walking out of there with your buggy, and getting home with all of your stuff and without a panic attack.) Yes, I know you friend. It is possible. -Figuring out why they let you out of that hospital with a brand new human being and expecting you to keep it alive and stuff. -Figuring out how to survive the next 0-18+ years with these creatures that you created and you are expected to keep alive and that work your nerves every single second of your life....the life that you can't imagine living without them in it. -Surviving the unspeakable. -Getting a friend. -Starting a new relationship. -Leaving a bad relationship. -Starting a new job. -Leaving a bad job. -Making it through the day despite all the things that are thrown at you. You see, my ideal client is the person who has a problem and wants to attack it, but not to do it alone. As far as labels.....these are some of the things that my clients like to discuss: Anxiety Depression Bipolar Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Leaving a long term job Having a horrible boss Being a woman (that can cover so many things) Family Conflict Self Esteem College…. If you don’t see your issue here, I CAN’T WAIT to add it to my list!!