Erica Dizard
I love helping my clients develop the tools they need to cope with all of life’s challenges. I have worked with clients from ages 12-70 years old. I have been a social worker for 20 years and worked with diverse populations. I believe therapy is an individualized process and it starts with developing a therapeutic relationship with each client. I believe it is important to take a holistic approach and learn each client and what treatment modalities work for them. My approach to therapy is a collaborative effort and I foster an environment that promotes positive thinking, behavior and healing.
First session
Our first session is a just an introduction to our therapeutic journey together. It gives me the opportunity to learn more about you as an individual so I can better support you as a client in counseling. This also gives the client an opportunity to identify if the therapeutic relationship will be a good fit.
Strengths
My greatest strengths are my ability to relate and to support diverse individuals on their mental health journeys. I utilize practical life examples in order to give not only understanding, support and comfort that each client is not alone on their mental health journey. I use active empathetic listening skills in order to build trust and strengthen the therapeutic relationship. I also utilize a strengths based method where I encourage to focus not just on the problems but empowerment, positive abilities and qualities that each client possesses to evoke change.
Ideal clients
I am looking forward to working with clients that are motivated to change, actively participates in therapy, and is willing to work on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors both during and between sessions. I am looking for clients that are ready to collaborate work towards identifying and expressing their emotions, understanding the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and be open to feedback, techniques and new perspectives.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have worked extensively with clients with mood disorders and trauma. We work to identify any patterns of behavior that may be affecting their overall mental health. We also work specifically to identify thought patterns that may be negatively influencing their mood. This is the first step in the therapeutic process that most clients begin to steps toward change in their mental health.
Location
Virtual sessions