LPC, 16 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, it's nice to meet you! My name is Pamela and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of PA. I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. Joseph's University and my master's degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I have extensive experience working in a variety of mental health treatment settings that include residential, outpatient, and University counseling services. My goal as a therapist is to empower each and every client to see their true potential. I want to support clients in recognizing and building on their strengths and regaining a sense of hope and control in their lives, so that they can go on to live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. I realize that seeking help can be overwhelming and difficult; however the results can be life-changing, and I am here to guide and support you on your journey!
In our first session, I will review confidentiality and informed consent, as well as talk about what you may be able to expect from therapy, so that you are entering the experience with knowledge and information about the process. It is also helpful to me if you can share your own expectations of therapy and share any past experiences that may or may not have been helpful, so that we can ensure this counseling experience meets your needs. After reviewing all of this information, I will ask questions and have a conversation with you about various areas of your life, which will help me understand the larger picture and get to know what makes you, you! Finally, we will work on tentative goal setting for therapy and ideas about what you may want to work on during our sessions.
The greatest compliment I have received from my clients in the past is my ability to create and maintain a safe environment, where clients feel heard, understood, and can share without fear of judgment. This is very meaningful to me, as I strive to show empathy, compassion, and create a truly judgment free zone for my clients, understanding how difficult it can be to share the intimate details of one's life. As a therapist, I also feel it is important to gently challenge my clients, as challenge and stepping outside of our comfort zones is where we often see the greatest growth.
I am passionate about providing empathetic, client centered therapy for adults and late teens who are struggling with life transitions, relationship issues, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, and other mood disorders. I believe in utilizing a trauma informed approach, as well as aspects of CBT, ACT, and EFT as appropriate in addressing these concerns and assisting you in establishing and living a more satisfying and fulfilling life.
CBT aims to help clients understand the interconnection between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Working on challenging and changing our thoughts can have a direct impact on our feelings and behavior.
Using ACT can help clients identify and act more consistently with their values and beliefs. Additionally, ACT will focus on acknowledging your thoughts as well as understanding and accepting your emotions.
EFT will help clients understand their attachments to others and patterns in relationships in order to improve current relationships. EFT will also focus on the role of emotions in relationships and how the more we understand our emotions, the more we will be able to communicate them sufficiently and improve our bonds with others.
Using a trauma informed approach is critical in helping a client understand the impact of their trauma and supporting them on a path to recover. Trauma informed treatment gives the client a safe and supportive environment that fosters resilience, healing, and growth.