As another individual facing life’s complexities, I share in the everyday challenges that we all face. From managing tasks to learning from outcomes, I constantly strive to adapt and improve, always aiming for my own version of excellence within my capabilities. Life on Earth demands resilience and a resolute spirit, qualities I’ve cultivated through my own experiences. If you’re here with me during this era, I understand how tough it can be because I too face life’s daily trials. This connection deeply informs my practice and fuels my commitment to support you. Together, we can find hope and courage, no matter your age, as we work towards healing and growth. As a licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly a decade of experience, I am dedicated to empowering individuals across diverse backgrounds. My role as an Empowerment Specialist is to uncover and nurture the potential within each person, supporting you in harnessing your strengths to achieve and sustain your desired outcomes. We understand that while everyone shares a common goal of wellness, your journey is uniquely yours. I customize my therapeutic approach to resonate with your personal definition of wellness, employing a range of strategies to not only help you reach but also maintain your vision of well-being. Our collaborative efforts will ensure that you navigate life's challenges with resilience, fostering a sense of warmth, safety, and confidence while driving towards tangible results. Embracing Your Unique Journey How might your life look if you embraced your own version of wellness, one that’s truly aligned with your goals and values? Let’s work together to define your path to healing, empowerment, and lasting well-being. I’m here to walk alongside you as we make your vision a reality.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Welcome to our first therapeutic session together. Welcome to our first session together! I know that starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it’s completely natural to have some nerves or uncertainty. Please know that you’re not alone in feeling this way—my priority today is to create a space where you feel heard, safe, and supported as we begin this journey together. Getting to Know You Our first session is about us getting to know each other. I'll ask questions about your life, your experiences, and what brings you to therapy. But this isn’t just about me learning about your challenges—it's also about you getting a sense of my approach and how we might work together. It’s important that you feel comfortable with our partnership, as the strength of our relationship is a cornerstone of your progress. Understanding Your Situation This is your time to share what’s been weighing on you—whether it's concerns, struggles, or dreams. I encourage you to speak openly, at your own pace. There's no rush; our conversation might unfold over more than one session, and that's perfectly okay. You are the expert on your own life, and I’m here to listen, learn, and support. Creating a Collaborative Plan As we explore what’s bringing you to therapy, we’ll begin to outline a personalized plan that reflects your goals. This plan is just a starting point, and it will evolve with you. Your input is essential throughout—this is your journey, and your feedback will shape how we proceed. The plan will grow with you, just as you will. Your Goals Are My Goals In this partnership, we’re in this together. Your goals become my goals, and I’m here to support you in navigating the challenges that arise. Whether it’s offering techniques, providing insight, or simply being a steady presence, I’m here for you. Your journey toward healing and growth is a shared effort, and I’m excited to walk beside you every step of the way. Remember, every significant change starts with a first step, and today is that step. I’m here to support you with empathy, understanding, and commitment as we embark on this path together. Let’s start with optimism and the belief that your future holds great potential for healing and success.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a therapist, my approach to mental health care is deeply rooted in the belief that healing involves more than just the mind—it encompasses the whole person, taking into account the mind, body, spirit, and their unique context in life. I strive to empower my clients by helping them understand and navigate their challenges through a holistic lens, blending science, psychoeducation, and spiritual principles. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to integrate the science of the body and brain with psychological experiences. I deeply understand how our thoughts and emotions can physically affect us, and I use this knowledge to help clients recognize the connection between their mental and physical well-being. By incorporating the latest scientific research, I empower clients to take control of their health with evidence-based techniques that promote resilience and healing at both the neurological and psychological levels. Another strength I bring is my use of psychoeducation in therapy. I believe that understanding the “why” behind behaviors and emotions is a powerful tool for change. By educating clients about how their minds and bodies work, I can help demystify mental health issues, reduce stigma, and make the therapeutic process more accessible and actionable. When clients are empowered with knowledge, they are more likely to engage fully in their healing journey. Empowerment is at the core of my practice. I focus on recognizing and building upon my clients’ strengths rather than just concentrating on their challenges. This strengths-based approach fosters confidence and self-esteem, which are essential for long-term mental health recovery. I work collaboratively with clients, supporting them in setting meaningful goals and creating actionable plans that make therapy a process of transformation, not just reflection. Spirituality is another element that plays a significant role in my practice, where appropriate and embraced by the client. I honor and integrate each individual’s spiritual beliefs into therapy, as I’ve seen how spiritual perspectives can offer comfort, clarity, and strength during times of adversity. I believe that spirituality can help clients connect to a sense of greater purpose and navigate life’s challenges with peace and resilience. Additionally, I incorporate the universal laws into my therapeutic approach, helping clients understand how they are part of a larger system. This helps them see the bigger picture of their lives
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Welcome to Social Wellness Advocacy Group, where we transform challenges into triumphs, guiding diverse groups through their unique life journeys towards personal success. As a dedicated therapist, I am committed to guiding diverse groups through their unique life challenges, transforming their experiences into personal success stories. Whether you're a child learning to navigate life's complexities, a woman tackling gender-specific issues, a young professional striving for balance, someone exploring spiritual depths, or a family navigating its dynamics, I'm here to support your journey towards lasting change. Our expertise spans across a broad spectrum, tailored to meet the needs of children, adolescents, adults, and families, empowering each client to navigate their specific challenges with confidence with a trauma-informed approach addressing his and herstories of the past-future-present in consideration of environmental factors. Self-Esteem and Self-Image: Struggling with self-esteem and battling a poor self-image? We are here to help you transform how you see yourself and enhance your interactions with the world. Low self-esteem can manifest as persistent self-doubt, negative self-talk, and a feeling of inadequacy that hinders your ability to engage fully and joyously in life. These challenges can prevent you from pursuing opportunities, forming healthy relationships, and recognizing your true worth. However, these weaknesses are just one part of your story. You possess inherent strengths, resilience, the capacity for deep introspection, and the ability to grow and change, which are crucial tools for personal development. Our therapeutic approach boosts your self-confidence by addressing the root causes of your self-perceptions and enhancing your appreciation for your unique strengths and experiences. Relationships Issues: Whether it’s communication problems, trust issues, differing values, or intimacy concerns, we are here to help you find clarity and peace. Relationships are fundamental to our well-being, but they can also be sources of great stress when conflicts arise. Misunderstandings and unmet expectations can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and disconnection. However, these challenges also present opportunities to strengthen bonds, enhance understanding between partners and redefining boundaries and desires. Empowering Transformation What if the struggles you’re facing right now are the very things that can lead you to your most emp
About Tekisha Durand
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I am deeply committed to utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a dynamic and transformative tool in my practice. With over seven years of experience as a Master-level clinician and an Empowerment Specialist, CBT has become a cornerstone of my approach to facilitating profound change. This method brilliantly addresses common pain points such as pervasive anxiety, debilitating depression, and the lasting effects of PTSD by helping you understand the intricate relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Our therapy sessions begin by identifying the origin of your thought patterns, examining historical experiences that have shaped your current perceptions. This foundational work is crucial as it allows us to address the root causes of your emotional and behavioral issues, setting the stage for genuine and lasting change. We will meticulously explore how certain thought patterns may be influencing your emotions and actions adversely. I'll guide you through effective strategies to reshape these patterns, including the use of thought records, behavioral experiments, and enhanced problem-solving techniques. These evidence-based interventions are proven to significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life by promoting emotional regulation and behavioral adjustment. Our goal in therapy is not just to alleviate symptoms but to foster enduring empowerment and resilience. By setting clear, achievable goals and employing practical CBT techniques, you will gain invaluable skills to manage challenges and transform negative cycles into positive, life-affirming actions. Let’s embark on this journey of growth and healing together, with the promise of achieving a healthier, more fulfilling life through the proven success of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Join me in tapping into the power of resolution within you using CBT to unlock your potential and illuminate your path toward a brighter, more hopeful future.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Understanding Person-Centered Therapy: A Client-Focused Approach At the heart of our therapeutic practice is person-centered therapy, a compassionate approach designed to prioritize your unique needs and values. This method is built on deep respect for your individuality, focusing on what is important to you and what you need to enhance your well-being. What We Do: • Personal Connection: We start by getting to know you on a personal level, understanding what’s important to you in life, and how your values influence your daily experiences. • Customized Support: We tailor our approach to meet your specific needs, whether you are dealing with work-related stress, balancing family and personal life, managing complex medical conditions, or overcoming past traumas. Application to Common Symptoms: • Workplace Stress: For professionals struggling with job-related pressures, we provide strategies to improve work-life balance and foster a more satisfying career experience. • Work-Life Balance: We offer support for those juggling family responsibilities and personal ambitions, helping you create harmony and reduce overwhelm. • Medical Conditions: We assist individuals with chronic health issues to navigate their challenges with resilience and find ways to improve their quality of life. • Trauma Recovery: We help clients address and heal from past traumas, promoting emotional recovery and helping you move forward with greater confidence and peace. By focusing on what’s important to you and integrating person-centered therapy techniques, we aim to make your days brighter and more fulfilling. Our goal is to empower you to achieve your personal and professional aspirations while maintaining overall well-being.
Psychoeducation
In my therapeutic practice, I emphasize the importance of psychoeducation as a foundational element, guiding you and your family through a comprehensive understanding of the psychological challenges you face, available treatment options, and effective strategies for managing symptoms. This method is rooted in the belief that knowledge truly empowers—providing you with the detailed insights necessary to fully comprehend and actively participate in your treatment process. Simply reading this description initiates the change process by engaging your brain's natural curiosity and capacity for learning. This engagement prompts your brain to start forming new neural connections, setting the groundwork for further psychological growth and change. As you process this information, you're already taking the first steps towards a more empowered and proactive approach to managing your psychological health. By educating you about the nature of your challenges and the underlying mechanisms at play, we pave the way for a more engaged and effective therapeutic experience. This process of learning and understanding stimulates the brain to adapt and respond to therapy, enhancing its ability to develop new behaviors and thought patterns. For example, understanding how anxiety can be triggered and maintained by certain thought patterns enables you to recognize and alter these thoughts in real-time. Similarly, understanding the impact of stress on the body can motivate you to implement practical stress-reduction techniques that have direct benefits, such as improved sleep and reduced physical tension. Through psychoeducation, I help you wire your brain more efficiently, fostering not just a deeper understanding but also mastery over the challenges you face. This informed approach allows you to transform knowledge into power, equipping you with the tools needed for lasting change and resilience. Clients often report feeling more in control, experiencing fewer symptoms, and enjoying a higher quality of life. Together, we'll use this powerful blend of knowledge and practical application to forge a path toward recovery and growth, empowering you and your family to navigate psychological challenges with confidence and clarity.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I employ mindfulness-based therapy as a core component of my therapeutic approach to help clients cultivate a heightened awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment. This technique is rooted in the understanding that mindfulness can significantly diminish stress and enhance emotional regulation by directly impacting the nervous system. Mindfulness activities, such as focused breathing and meditation, encourage the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the body's rest and digest response. This activation helps mitigate the fight-or-flight response, typically triggered by stress and anxiety. As a result, clients experience a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure, fostering a greater sense of calm. For example, regular mindfulness practice can lead clients to notice when their thoughts begin to spiral into stress-inducing patterns. By recognizing these patterns early, clients can apply mindfulness techniques to consciously relax their body and refocus their mind, steering away from automatic negative reactions towards more thoughtful, balanced responses. This shift is crucial for emotional resilience and overall mental health. Clients who consistently integrate mindfulness into their daily routine often begin to see noticeable improvements in their emotional and physical well-being within a few weeks to a few months of practice. Over time, this practice not only helps manage acute stress but also contributes to long-term changes in how they handle emotional challenges, leading to a more balanced and satisfying life. By guiding you through mindfulness exercises and helping you incorporate them into your everyday life, I aim to empower you with the tools to respond to life’s challenges with clarity and equilibrium, thereby fostering a sustained sense of well-being and a healthier, more mindful approach to life.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I utilize solution-focused therapy (SFT) to empower clients by focusing on their inherent strengths and the possibilities for positive change. This approach encourages clients to envision the future they desire and take actionable steps towards realizing it, rather than dwelling on past difficulties. SFT has been particularly effective for clients dealing with relationship issues, career challenges, and mild to moderate anxiety and depression. For example, clients navigating relationship conflicts have used SFT to discover and build on effective communication strategies already present in their interactions. Those facing career dissatisfaction identify clear goals and practical steps to achieve professional fulfillment. Similarly, individuals experiencing anxiety and depression learn to envision a life beyond their current struggles, which helps break cycles of negative thinking and promotes a proactive approach to mental health. This therapy involves strategic questioning that guides clients to recognize their successful experiences and envision how they can replicate these successes in other areas of their lives. By focusing on what they can change and control, clients develop a strong sense of agency and optimism. Overall, solution-focused therapy equips individuals with a mindset oriented towards growth and achievement, fostering lasting empowerment. It's designed for those who are ready to see substantial improvements in their lives and are eager to actively engage in their therapeutic journey.