(she/her)
Hello and welcome. Have you been thinking about starting therapy for a while but feel overwhelmed by the idea of where to start? At whatever pace you are comfortable I am here to help you identify and prioritize your issues to begin to overcome the problems that are holding you back from thriving as your best self. Since earning my degree in 2003, I have worked with all age groups in the areas of anxiety, depression, codependency, addiction, self-harming, chronic pain, relationship issues, anger management, and life transitions. If you are ready to begin, I am ready to help you get motivated.
During your first session we will delve into your past and current life experiences to ensure we are able to identify the issues that need addressing. My goal is to provide a welcoming and non-judgmental platform to help you become your own catalyst for self-empowerment.
Since earning my graduate degree in 2003 I have gained experience in various areas of the mental health treatment field. My background includes working in an acute care inpatient psychiatric hospital as a therapist. I worked on all four units which include children, middle school, high school, adults, and formerly geriatrics. I have worked for a substance abuse treatment company in the capacity of an intensive outpatient therapist, an adolescent clinical coordinator for outpatient services, an inpatient therapist for adults, a facilitator for the adolescent family program, and a chronic pain therapist. Additionally, I have filled the roles of an elementary school counselor, a school-based therapist for grades K-12, and an adjunct instructor at a community college.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that cause distress, often in a structured and time-limited way. CBT is based on the idea that how we think about situations significantly impacts how we feel and act, and that by changing negative or distorted thinking, we can improve our emotional and behavioral responses.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented counseling style that strengthens a person's motivation and commitment to change. It's used to help individuals explore their feelings about behavior change, resolve any ambivalence they may have, and develop a plan to make positive changes.
Positive psychology is a field that focuses on understanding and promoting human flourishing and well-being. It shifts the focus from solely addressing mental illness to exploring the positive aspects of human experience, such as happiness, optimism, and character strengths. Positive psychology aims to help individuals live more meaningful and fulfilling lives by understanding what makes them thrive.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented approach that focuses on helping clients create solutions and achieve desired outcomes in the present and future. It emphasizes strengths and resources, encourages clients to envision a positive future, and uses specific techniques to identify and build upon existing strengths and resources to achieve desired outcomes.
Strength-based therapy is an approach that focuses on a client's inherent strengths and abilities, rather than dwelling on weaknesses or deficits. It helps individuals identify and build upon their strengths to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. This approach promotes empowerment, resilience, and a positive self-image.