Do you feel like you are the caretaker? The hero? The rescuer? Do you have to be the strong one? The one who everyone turns to, but has no one to turn to themselves? Do you witness the unimaginable and have to “carry on” to save the next life? You are not alone. I help clients learn how to live with their experiences, set and hold appropriate boundaries, build healthy relationships, gain stability, and learn skills to manage their emotions in a healthy way. I provide a safe and supportive place for those who feel they can’t talk about their experiences because no one else can understand. I am experienced in working with clients from all walks of life. I have worked with anxiety, depression, chronic job-related trauma, substance use, and adjustment and phase of life issues. I believe in integrative techniques to connect mind, body, and spirit and improve overall well-being. I also believe in working together to develop a plan based on skills you already possess to create lasting changes. How can we build on good habits you are already doing? How can we expand positive qualities you already show to others? Let's work together to build healthy habits that work for you!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
After your first session we will work together to understand how you learn, how your brain processes information, and how to recognize physical and emotional symptoms (like the fact that your heart races when you walk into a certain place, or you feel short of breath when a call comes in, or when your body won't rest at night because it is ready to jump if the alarm sounds). Then I will provide you with the education and tools to make lasting changes in your life. You can expect each session to provide you with support and encouragement, with no judgement or assumptions- you’re the expert of your life and you know you better than anyone!
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Treatment may look a little different for everyone. Therapy sessions may include use of cognitive behavioral therapy to develop new skills and use homework to build the use of the skill; motivational interviewing to validate your experiences and meet you where you’re at on the moment and work with you to identify areas you want to improve and your readiness to make the changes; and solution focused techniques- you know what the problem is, how do we work together to resolve it? Together we will also explore your overall physical and mental well-being through integrative therapy techniques including discussing healthy nutrition, exercise, meditation, self-development, and sleep hygiene to improve overall wellness.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
If you stay in your comfort zone, nothing changes. You get the same results you have always gotten. I help my clients focus on the patterns in their choices to find where they need to make changes, if they want to achieve their goals. I also have special training and experience working with first responders. It can be challenging to always be the strong one, and the fear of what those who rely on you everyday might think can make you feel weak opening up about “normal” experiences that everyone else in your career seem to handle “just fine”. Strength is knowing when to ask for help. You don’t have to fight your battles alone.