I am a Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years of experience working with women, children & families. I currently specialize in women's health, depression, anxiety, perinatal mood disorders, domestic violence and PTSD/trauma. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Life Education (Spring Arbor University) and earned my Master's degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. I am certified as an Integrated Health Behavioral Health Specialist through the University of Michigan and Cherokee Health Systems (TN). I also have advanced training and certifications in Women's Health, Perinatal Mental Health, and Trauma Focused CBT. I have worked in a wide variety of settings including providing home visits to mothers with postpartum depression, serving as a Behavioral Health Consultant, Integrated Healthcare Supervisor, and Pediatric Integrated Psychotherapist at Henry Ford Health System. In addition, I have served as an adjunct instructor at Spring Arbor University and Southern New Hampshire University and I provide professional consultations to local pediatricians and OB/Gyns. I am currently working on obtaining a certificate as an Animal Assisted Therapist.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session, also known as an Intake, is all about information gathering and establishing a therapeutic relationship. I will provide a brief introduction to the therapeutic model. I will gather information about your specific issues, conduct screenings and assessments to determine the severity of your symptoms and discuss possible treatment options. I will gather history and information about your family background, physical and mental health history, natural supports, and presenting problems/symptoms. We will discuss possible treatment options and work to identify potential treatment goals and objectives. We will discuss confidentiality and issues related to scheduling appointments. I will answer any questions you may have about the therapy process and I will work to establish rapport with you so that you feel safe and secure.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strength as a provider is my ability to set people at ease and provide a sense of hope that relief is possible. Receiving mental health services shouldn't be scary or stigmatized! I work very hard to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable in our therapeutic alliance. I am down-to-earth, compassionate, sympathetic, humanistic, and "real." In my world, there is no such thing as a "perfect" wife, mother, woman, or daughter. We are all just doing our best to carry the mental load, and sometimes, it's not pretty. Who better to understand your struggles than a therapist who has devoted her entire career to providing emotional support to women? Therapy should not be intimidating. It should provide you with an opportunity to feel seen, heard and validated. I believe that there is a great deal of strength in the telling of our stories. By having a supportive, healing environment in which to share your truth, you will find that you can identify, verbalize and regulate your emotions. You can’t heal what you don’t acknowledge. The telling of your story is important. It is my sincere hope that you will find that individual therapy can provide you with the strength that you need to fulfill your goals and dreams, improve your self-esteem, and assist in regulating the mind/body connection that is so important in the healing process.