LCSW, 10 years of experience
Isn't it nice to know someone has been in your shoes? I have over a decade of personal and clinical experience in the field that allows me to help clients feel truly understood. I graduated from Loyola University Chicago and primarily specialize in Narcissistic Abuse in relationships, codependency, childhood trauma, and generational trauma. I also have several years of experience in community mental health with dual diagnosis, Bipolar disorder, addiction, and anxiety. I work with teenagers, adults, and families. I am a Certified Codependency Treatment Specialist and am currently training to become a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Clinician.
In the first session, we will conduct your intake which is gathering information about your personal history. Some of the questions may feel uncomfortable. If that happens, we can pass on those and revisit later when you're more comfortable with me. Together, we will build a treatment plan that addresses your goals and needs. The progress on this is revisited every few months. Then we discuss if the two of us are a good fit. It's so important to have a good relationship with your therapist. If you say yes then we proceed to our sessions.
I have had many personal experiences that may be similar to what my clients have been through. This helps my clients feel truly understood. I don't disclose details, but my clients will be able to recognize that I may have been in their shoes. This is why I pursued a masters degree in this field. To help others the way I wanted to be helped.
I am direct and challenge clients while also being empathetic. I do well with clients who are insightful and motivated. It's important to be able to address the past and how it is impacting your current functioning. For clients who do not want to address trauma history, I utilize CBT to overcome negative thinking patterns.
We all have experiences growing up that inevitably cause negative thought patterns. I will work with you on identifying negative thought patterns and learn ways to change your thinking so you can heal from destructive cycles.
It's important to understand how our childhood influences who we are today. Together, we explore relationships or experiences in childhood that were impactful or traumatic. I will help you sort through the meaning of these experiences and heal from the past. When are you able to heal from the past or let go, positive change is possible.
The relationship between infant and caregiver is vital. We explore what your attachment was to your caregivers growing up and how this may influence your current functioning. Without proper attachment, it can cause trauma and mistrust. We will work together to help your form healthier relationships and trust in others.
When we experience abuse or trauma, it can be life shattering. Our identity can slip away. It can feel like the outside world is crushing us. Outside influences seem to drive how you feel on the inside. If you are in distress about your identity or purpose, we will work through how the past has influenced where you are today, the importance of free will and how to gain your power back from outside forces. The focus of this style of therapy is the pursuit of empowerment.
This therapy also explores early experiences and how they shape current functioning. This therapy modality does involve dream analysis and free association.