LCSW, 29 years of experience
I'm a Los Angeles based Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in direct client care, administration, staff development and training of new social workers. I earned my Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Loma Linda University, California. I have experience working with children, young adults, adults and families and uses an eclectic approach to meet the unique needs of each client. I believe that change happens when people are given guidance needed to draw on their individual strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling lives.
Overall, the first session aims to establish a trusting relationship and lay the groundwork for the therapeutic journey. In the first session commonly known as the intake or assessment session, individuals typically experience a welcoming and supportive environment where they have the chance to to build rapport. As the therapist, I will explain the therapy process, discuss confidentiality, and ask questions to understand the individual's reasons for seeking therapy, their history, current challenges and goals. Client may share personal information about their background, experiences, and the issues they're facing. I will use this information to make an initial assessment and collaboratively develop a treatment plan tailored to the client's need.
With over 25 years of experience as a social worker, I bring a wealth of expertise, wisdom, and a deep understanding of various mental health challenges and social issues to clients seeking therapy. My strengths: 1) Extensive Experience - provides with a nuanced understanding of diverse client needs, allowing me to navigate complex situations 2) Seasoned Skill Set - I possess a wide range of effective therapeutic techniques, interventions, and strategies tailored to different client population and issues, 3) Empath and Insight - My extensive experience have honed my ability to empathize deeply with clients, fostering a safe and supportive environment for them to explore their challenges 4) Resourcefulness - having worked extensively in the field, I have a strong network and knowledge of community resources, enabling me to connect clients with appropriate services and support they need 5) Adaptability and Flexibility - Through the years in the field, I've encountered diverse clients needs and situations, allowing me to adapts and tailor my approach to meet each client's unique circumstances effectively.
As a therapist, I often find myself serving a diverse range of clients, individuals, families or communities facing various challenges. I've worked a majority of my career in government, serving those underserved population. I particularly enjoyed working with marginalized and Diverse populations such as those experiencing poverty, trauma, discrimination, LGBTQ and immigrant populations. Addition, having a private practice has also afforded me the opportunity working with individuals from various backgrounds such as nurses, law enforcement, teachers, athletes and corporate professionals. To help clients improve their mental wellness, I employ a person-centered approach, offering support, empathy, and resources tailored to the specific needs of each client.
CBT is used to help individuals struggling with various mental health issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD and other disorders. As the therapist, I use CBT techniques to assist clients in identifying and changing negative though patterns and behaviors that contribute to their difficulties.
Motivational interviewing is a client-centered, goal oriented approach used to help individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. Therapist uses MI specific techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmation, and summarizing to guide clients toward exploring their motivations, values and goals.
A form of talk therapy that focuses on exploring how past experiences, particularly those from childhood, influence current emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. As the therapist, I help the client explore their emotions, thoughts, and relationships to gain insight into unconscious aspects of their psyche. Therapist provides interpretations and insights to help the client gain self-awareness and understanding, aiming to bring about personal growth and resolution of inner conflicts.
DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop coping mechanisms. It's particularly effective for those individuals with borderline personality disorder (BDO). Various methods include individual therapy sessions, group skills training, phone coaching, and therapist consultations teams. Therapy emphasizes mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. The goal is to teach clients these skills to help them better navigate life's challenges.