Hi! My name is Mary Beth and I am happy that you have come to the Grow Therapy website. I earned a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Grief and Trauma from Arcadia University and have been practicing for 10 years. First, I want to congratulate you on taking a big step towards improving your mental health! Maybe you are feeling sad and are crying more than you ever remember. Or perhaps you are feeling anxious and panicky and you don't understand why. Maybe you are up all night, tossing and turning and sleep just doesn't come. Do you feel stuck in a relationship that is unhealthy and can't think straight or how to express your feelings effectively? Many of us have been there before and need support. I have a proven record of helping my clients feel better and experience joy in their lives. First I build trust in our relationship by listening in a nonjudgmental and safe way. I help you envision your goals - what you would like your life to look like? Together we will process your challenges and identify the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are not working for you. Also, I will introduce effective coping and communication skills which we can practice together to increase your confidence. I can help you become more aware of how your thinking and emotions affect your behavior and how you can challenge unhealthy thoughts that lead to overwhelming emotions. Then together we can identify your unique strengths (everyone has them) and find ways to employ them for success. I believe strongly in the mind and body connection and increasing self-awareness. I teach mindfulness skills to improve self-control which helps people stay in the present without constantly ruminating about the difficulties of the past or their fears about the future. I am trained in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) which is effective for those who experience problems with emotional instability and impulsiveness. While healthy relationships are often the bedrock of a joyful life, relationships can also cause pain. Together we can identify the dynamics of these relationships and then identify effective ways to repair them or find new and more healthy ones. If this sparks your interest, please contact me. Thank you for your consideration.
Our first session is usually a "get to know you" one. I want to provide a safe and comfortable space to help you share your current struggles and what you are looking for in the counseling process. I will discuss how therapy is like a journey and that my client is always the pilot - with my role as the co-pilot. I will listen to you in a non-judgmental, empathic manner. I will encourage you to set the pace and ask about any concerns you have about the therapy process now or at any time in the future. I will help you identify what changes you would like to see in your life. I will ask about previous therapy and what was helpful and what was not. I will encourage you to share as much about yourself as you feel comfortable.
Before earning my degree in Counseling, I worked on a 24-7 Victim Hotline. I understand the dynamics of Harassment, Rape and other Sexual Assaults. I visited hospitals to be with victims of crimes in the Emergency Room to offer them support and services. I have worked in school settings presenting violence prevention programs and have talked to numerous students about their struggles with bullying and harassment. I understand how most abuse and crimes are perpetrated by people we know and often trust. I have also been successful in helping clients with mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder - using mindfulness approaches often in conjunction with psychoeducation on medication.
I like to counsel adults of all ages on the virtual platform
Learning and using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques brings better awareness to how your thoughts are related to your feelings and subsequent behaviors. Using these principles individuals can improve their level effectiveness in life.
Therapist co-lead DBT group in Community Behavioral Health Center. DBT is an evidence based intervention that helps individuals regulate their emotions using mindfulness, specific skills and practice.
I find that my clients find the motivation to take action and learn new skills when they can better identify their life values and find measurable ways to move in the direction of these values.