Hello, I'm Elizabeth Potts, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida. I have been working with clients who have struggled with mental health and substance misuse issues in Florida since 2009. Prior to that, I worked in Pennsylvania, in the mental health and substance misuse field for over 40 yrs. I am also internationally Certified as a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor out of Pennsylvania. I graduated from Marywood University, in Pennsylvania, with a Masters in Social Work in 2002. After moving to Florida in 2009, I worked at the Veterans Health Administration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I served returning veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East, and homeless veterans. My work has been gratifying and rewarding. I recently retired to spend more time with my family and to work part time delivering virtual therapy. I have been providing online therapy since the start of the pandemic.
The first session allows for introductions, time to explore your reason for therapy and shared expectations.
I work well with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, adjustment disorder due to life circumstances and transitions. I have compassion and empathy and will offer support but stress healthy boundaries. I infuse humor in the sessions, when appropriate, to help people learn that laughter can be a healthy outlet.
Adults with depression/anxiety who are having difficulty with managing their emotions. I recently completed EMDR training and have begun using this treatment intervention virtually.
I use CBT to help clients recognize self defeating thoughts and help them learn to reframe their thinking to positive thoughts that helps to change feelings and behaviors.
This is an intensive treatment for individuals with big and little traumas. Bilateral stimulation is used to help the individual process information while reducing the emotional charge of the events.
Talk therapy to help the individual process their grief and loss. Various techniques are used to help the person better adapt to their sense of loss.
This is similar to CBT. The individual is guided to understanding how their emotions and thoughts guide their actions.