New to Grow
Hi, I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Western Mass area. For over the past 17 years I have worked as a therapist with individuals struggling with serious and/or intense mental health symptoms and for the past few years I have been in working with amazing client's in a PHP/IOP setting. I've recently have begun incorporating all my experience and education to helping folks on an outpatient level. I look forward to working together with you and helping you meet your goals so you can move on and forward with your life, with new found hope, awareness and coping tools that will better equip you to face life's changes and challenges more confidently.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session may require some information gathering. The intake form you completed will save us some time so we can discuss some of the reasons and symptoms that brought you to therapy and goals you would like to work towards. Together I would like to complete a brief safety plan (specifically with those who struggle with passive suicidal ideation or who live in potential risky environments). It is important to me that you feel safe, respected and free to speak openly. Whatever we do not complete we can finish in a later session. One hour can go by fast, so healthy boundaries help us to stay focused. However, on the flip side, a good therapeutic relationship is important and built on trust so I gladly welcome your questions and look forward to getting to know you. First sessions don't have to be uncomfortable but please be assured that I completely understand if it does for you. I realize that opening up can be hard and new for many. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you feel more comfortable during out first session; my aim is to meet you where you're at, no pressure, no judgement so we can explore together what therapy will look like moving forward.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My experience began with individuals who struggled with serious and often debilitating mental health symptoms. Most of my clients struggled with hopelessness, trauma, lacked support and motivation, and suffered with low self-worth. Early in my career I would often work hard to help a client reach what I thought was that identifying moment when they would report they were feeling better, it was after some time, a lot of effort and more experience that I finally recognized how real change occurred. There was not a clear identifying moment or behavior change, instead I quickly began to see that positive change occurred gradually, without most even realizing their own growth. You may not suddenly feel "healed" or "better", but instead real healing is occurring when you, the client, begin to feel more capable and confident, more motivated, more self-aware and in control of your narrative and ultimately, more equipped to cope when faced with new challenges. The work you do will produce results and it won't be because of a single epiphany or defining moment but because you've been reversing habits, moving through grief and trauma and regaining control, resetting boundaries (or establishing new ones) and by your reestablishing those values important to you. I am simply here to help you get there every step of the way, utilizing methods personal to you. I am grateful to have helped many reach their personal mental health goals, I look forward to doing the same with you.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Clients I feel best equipped to support and serve are those who may be struggling with various symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, those affected recently by trauma or acute distress caused by life stressors such and relationships, social, economic, family, illness, work or other big challenges. Ideal client's are those who are willing and ready to commit some energy and effort into our weekly sessions, for at least 6 months, and even when it may feel difficult to do so. Healing is not always linear or easy and it is not uncommon to lack motivation and feel overwhelmed at times as we work through distressing symptoms but I ask my clients to be as transparent as comfortably possible, this will support a healthy therapeutic relationship and help use know when and where we may need to pivot. Also, I ask you to be patient with yourselves, give yourself some grace and credit for taking this step, and please, be open and ready to be supportingly challenged and presented with new ideas and processes because the outcome can lead to revealing the healthier you, you desire to be.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I often use CBT as the foundation for most sessions because it can help us identify and challenge negative thought patterns that may be contributing to emotional distress. Meaningful dialogue and exploration of one's thoughts together help us discover and incorporate various other methods and techniques that can be further helpful to the client based on needs, symptoms and goals.
Integrative
No two people are the same, therefore an integrative model allows for more personalized treatment that adapts and can integrate various therapy techniques based on the client's individual needs, goals, and preferences. The goal is to achieve a more complete and holistic healing by addressing multiple aspects of a person's life. It is effective for a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and addictions and considers the ways that psychological, emotional, physical, and social factors effect us. An integrative model provides a more proficient way to approach therapy, skill building and problem-solving.
Supportive
Supportive treatment provides a safe space to stabilize, strengthen and ultimately do deeper therapeutic work. When client's are in distress, facing numerous stressors or managing chronic symptoms, having a supportive therapeutic environment provides a safe space where counseling can focus help helping clients feel grounded safe and emotionally supported. Support, trust and safety is crucial when feeling emotionally unstable, with support we are able to safely explore coping skills, increase self-awareness and work through difficult symptoms. The goal is to reduce distress and help you feel more capable and grounded in daily life.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is a key part of therapy because it helps clients understand what they're experiencing and why certain coping and support strategies can help. When clients learn about their symptoms, about brain-body responses and about coping skills, they gain a sense of clarity and control. This understanding often reduces fears, anxiety and hopelessness, and increases motivation, feelings of self-worth and strengthens one's ability to use skills outside of sessions. Psychoeducation empowers clients, builds understanding and supports lasting change.
Strength-Based
Strength based treatment is important therapy because it focuses on clients existing abilities, resilience and resources rather than problems alone. This approach helps clients feel empowered, builds confidence, and supports real change. Together, we will work on identifying supportive relationships, personal values, reframe and problem-solve challenges, create achievable goals and strategies that feel realistic, and work to recognize progress and make necessary adjustments as needed. Strength-based treatment helps clients see themselves as capable agents of change, making therapy more collaborative, hopeful and empowering.