I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience working with all ages in both community and residential settings. I completed professional training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I helped individuals and families move through the grief process when I chaired and provided clinical expertise to a hospice program. I champion diversity! I help clients manage depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and adjustment type issues.
Clients participate in a mental health assessment and are prepared to share biographical information during the initial session. Although the first session is not a "therapy session" per se; most clients feel symptom relief because they have taken an important step toward addressing their problems. During subsequent sessions, clients can expect to experience symptom relief through client-centered and supportive type therapies. Clients should expect to be challenged along their journey to them becoming their best selves.
I am great at creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that engages clients and encourages them to explore ways to be their best selves.
Nelson Richardson offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
I help clients through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by showing them how their thoughts influence their feelings and actions. Sometimes, it's really helpful for them to broaden how they see a situation or a problem, which opens up new possibilities and can ease their emotional or psychological issues. I also use CBT to help clients tackle negative thought patterns, especially when it comes to dealing with depression and anxiety.
I help clients identify their goals and explore the path that best supports those aspirations, focusing on their strengths throughout the process. This approach is useful for some clients that are making decisions about work/career, school, problems with relationships, and resolving some situational stressors.
I use motivatonal interviewing to assist clients with becoming "unstuck" in decision making or assisting them with resolving ambilvalence. This approach, I usually use with clients that are contemplating sobriety, ending toxic/harmful relationships, and taking "leaps of faith".
I am a culturally aware practitioner who values diversity and respects individual differences. Through this approach, I have gained insights into many people who are different from me, which continually enhances my practical experience in this area. I am culturally sensitive to all races and religions. I am affirming of clients that identify as LGBTQIA+.
I assist clients with accepting their thoughts and feelings without criticism while focusing on what is happening in the now. Clients identify what really matters to them and I help them take steps toward reaching goals that align with their values. This approach assist clients with becoming "tougher" and able to be more emotional and psychologically sturdy.