Hi. I'm an LCMHC and LCAS in North Carolina. I've worked in mental health since 1993, obtaining my masters in 2013, getting licensed in 2014. I have worked the most with families dealing with divorce, substance use, trauma and loss. I enjoy helping families to feel stronger and more empowered to resolve conflict and communicate more effectively. Being able to navigate difficult circumstances is such a foundational skill we all need in life.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

I hope I can assist them with a very thorough assessment. I like to quickly gather a good history, getting to know them and setting a goal, explaining to them what I believe might be going on ("It seems like you might be experiencing some anxiety. Are you comfortable with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder?" Or, "I heard you say that you experienced significant trauma in your marriage and haven't really dealt with the symptoms, like not sleeping, experiencing flashbacks, etc. Does it seem to you like this might be PTSD?"). After providing them with an assessment, a goal, a treatment plan and talking with them about frequency of sessions, I would explain that we might meet more frequently at first and less frequently as I am able to provide them with a few coping skills to begin with. In the second session, I might gather a little more information to ensure I understand the full nature of what's going on (all of their day to day activities, etc-level of support, work stressors, etc. that I might not have had time for in the first session).

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I have been told that I am easy to talk to, that I am a good listener. I love assessment and continue to assess in an ongoing way, because of course, people are always changing. There are things that come up that impact their ability to focus on treatment, or things they didn't realize were barriers to their care and success. I try to "gently confront/challenge" those things when I can as I assess how things are going. "So you said you were at your best before you had your youngest son? Is that right? What do you think would be different if you were to ask your husband for more support? Maybe if you were able to go back to the gym?"

About Deanna L Brown-Johnson