LCMHC, 17 years of experience
I’m Courtney, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years experience. I’ve worked with clients in a number of settings, from substance abuse, community mental health, private outpatient, managed care, and inpatient settings. I love to partner on the journey with clients and assist them in living more balanced, rich, fulfilling lives. I've been a prior consumer of therapy myself and have valued the therapeutic process on a personal level.
The first session can be very anxiety inducing-and that’s okay! It’s okay to feel a little apprehensive at first. Our first session we will discuss presenting problems, expectations of therapy, goals for therapy, and I will be able to answer any questions that you may have. We will also explore your strengths, needs, and abilities. My goal is to make therapy as personalized and tailored to your needs as possible. Our first session helps to lay the groundwork for the therapeutic relationship that we will have.
Being able to provide a warm and empathetic space. I’m also perceptive and good at helping others gain perspective. Being able to validate and empower clients is also a strength that I believe is so important. I'm truly rooting for my clients, and will always be supportive of their journeys towards growth, healing and personal fulfillment.
I enjoy working with a wide range of clients, and the clients I’m most excited to work with are those clients willing to dig in and learn and grow! I especially enjoy working with moms who are trying to juggle multiple responsibilities and establish self-care.
Supportive therapy is implemented by establishing a safe and non-judgmental environment for clients to express themselves. I use active listening, empathy, and validation to understand my clients' perspective and experiences. I work collaboratively with clients to identify strengths and coping mechanisms, and come alongside my clients to develop strategies for managing stress, improving self-esteem, and enhancing overall well-being.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a mindfulness-based approach that focuses on accepting what is out of your control and committing to taking action that enriches your life. I work with clients to help clarify their values--what personally drives them. I help clients to accept their thoughts and feelings, even painful ones, rather than trying to suppress them. Cognitive diffusion is another skill in ACT that I teach, which involves teaching clients to distance themselves from their thoughts and view them as passing events rather than absolute truths. I enjoy teaching clients to help build psychological flexibility, resilience, and a rich, meaningful life, even in the face of challenges and adversity
I love teaching mindfulness to clients. I enjoy helping clients learn how to incorporate this into their lives through using mindful breathing, body scans, and mindful awareness of thoughts. Mindfulness techniques also helps to develop greater self-awareness, greater self-compassion, emotional regulation skills and resilience.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. I help clients identify and challenge negative or distorted thoughts and beliefs through cognitive restructuring.