Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). I have been providing therapy for 5+ years. As a therapist, I work to create and hold a supportive space for individuals to be seen, felt, and heard. I lead with curiosity, meet clients where they are at, and encourage clients to engage in a reflective process. I believe can tap into our greatest strengths and potential when we take the time to process our thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together we will start with a grounding check-in centered around how you feel about starting therapy. We'll briefly review policies and expectations and I'll share an introduction of who I am. The first session may feel more "question heavy" than typical sessions as I'll be working to gather information about your history and background to understand how I can best serve you. I'll support you with identifying therapy goals by asking you, "How would you be able to tell if therapy was working for you?"
I like to let clients know that our first couple of session are focused on rapport building and developing a supportive therapeutic relationship where you feel comfortable in the space. You don't have to share everything in the first session or talk about anything you aren't ready to. I believe that the most important things will emerge to the surface in their own perfect timing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider are my approaches and values that guide my practice. My therapeutic approach is trauma informed, client centered, collaborative, and present focused. The relational dynamics happening in the therapy room is really important to helping you meet your goals and creating supportive relational dynamics outside of therapy. I'll encourage clients to check in and connect deeper to themselves by turning inwards to what’s happening in their bodies presently in order to release what's not serving them. We may start or end sessions by practicing grounding and relaxation techniques. I consider every individual client an expert in their own unique lives. Everyones healing journey is unique and therapy looks different for everyone, I want to work collaboratively with you to make sure you are getting the most out of your work therapy journey.
About Chelsey Reese
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT Training (2017)
If you want to stop or change a specific behavior or thought, we can consider incorporating elements of CBT into your treatment plan. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. During our work we can use CBT to understand unhelpful thought cycles or behavioral patterns and identify where we can interrupt the cycle to create meaningful changes. The approach is a "top-down" approach that explores what's happening in the mind.
Relational
Advanced clinical training in Relational Gestalt Therapy (2022)
Relational therapy is founded on the principle that everything in life is a relationship. You have a relationship with yourself, with other people, and even with different habits and emotions. If you are looking to manage symptoms of anxiety, for example, we may explore what your relationship with Anxiety looks like (where did it first develop, how does it affect your outlook on life, what is it trying to communicate to you, etc.). In relational therapy we may explore different attachment styles and incorporate inner child work and parts work into the treatment. Relational therapy values the therapeutic relationship happening between client and therapist as well, as it often reflects what relationships may look like outside of the therapy space.
Somatic
Somatic Trauma Therapy Certification (2023)
Somatic therapy is a "bottom-down" processing approach that explores what's happening in the body. Somatic awareness is based on the understanding that emotions and lived experiences are stored in the body and affects how our nervous system responds in our day-to-day life. Somatic therapy may ask you to examine where you are holding tension, stress, tightness, or trauma in the body. Can you drop your shoulders away from your ears, unclench your jaw, release your tongue from the roof of your mouth, or unfurrow your brows.
Trauma Informed Care
Working from a trauma informed lens means I take into account the impact of trauma on the body, emotions, and behaviors. I talk with clients about what trauma is and how it affects our nervous system. Everything offered in session is an invitation and we can gradually address trauma in a way that feels safe and comfortable for you. Trauma informed care is client centered and collaborative. I believe that clients are the experts in their own life and healing, and I aim to be intentional about creating an energy of empowerment.
