Anielkha or Mercedes, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Anielkha or Mercedes

Anielkha or Mercedes

(she/they)

LCSW
13 years of experience
Virtual

As a wounded healer, it is an honor to be granted the opportunity of getting to know you and walking with you through the journey of healing. Congratulation for taking the hardest step in recovery; reaching out to get the support and guidance you need. About me, I was born in Nicaragua, migrated to the United States at age 10, was raised by a grandmother and a single mother. Since I was 13, I knew I wanted to be a mental health provider (therapist, social worker, behavioral health specialist). Many odds were against me, and having my own wounds, encourage me to seek the help I needed, to start my own healing journey, to ensure a better future. Being the client to several mental health providers in a span of ten years, made me realize the type of provider I want to be. I am passionate about mental health and it is my intention to remind you that you are whole and worthy.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

I will introduce myself, and you are welcome to ask any questions. I will ask a lot of questions about you; symptoms, frequency, intensity, stressors you are facing in all areas of your life, any health issues, your strengths, and areas that need improvement. We will collaborate at creating a treatment plan that will guide our work together. It is normal to feel sensitive after the session. I encourage you to engage in self-care after the session and avoid being around people or being in situations that could dysregulate. I will send a message after our session with information on some of the topics that were discussed in our initial visit, to start the process of psychoeducation. You are welcome to review some or all the information and bring a topic or an experience to discuss, to our next session. My job is to use those topics or recent experience, as opportunities to teach the needed skills to improve your overall well-being.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Compassion, radical acceptance of what is shared in the session, and provide you with the tools that will empower you into being the person you will be proud of being.

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

When working the top-down approach, I teach about distorted thoughts, type of distorted thoughts and how to replace distorted thoughts with different tools. Additionally, engaging in helpful behaviors can also assist at reducing unhelpful thoughts, frequency of thoughts.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

This is another top-down approach, where internal family members, and internal family dynamics can be identified. It's important to practice self-compassion and radical acceptance at this stage. Then, tools can be taught to meet and strengthen the authentic self, to be able to create a harmonious internal environment, and have mental resilience.

Person-centered (Rogerian)

It is my intention to create a safe environment where you can experience yourself, and can have a corrective emotional experience.

Interpersonal

This is another modality that has great tools that can help you explore different aspects of your life. Mindfulness is a great tool to help you build insight and that insight can facilitate change.