LCSW, 7 years of experience
I am an LCSW practicing in North Carolina. I graduated with honors from UNC-Chapel Hill and have experience in both non-profits and private practice supporting women and families experiencing IPV and abuse, assisting young adults through seniors experiencing life changes, guiding all ages through trauma healing, and helping all ages overcome general anxiety/depression. I have specialized trainings in TF-CBT, EMDR, and FLASH: techniques used to reprocess traumatic experiences. I enjoy using creative approaches and experiential activities in support of client's growth, but also employ an analytical approach to overcome specific challenges. My special interests lay within preventing and overcoming burnout and traumatic experiences; including clarification of personal values, goals, and developing personal routines and lifestyles supportive of overall well-being.
The first session is all about introductions. I may ask a lot of questions, but you are in control of what you share. I don't have to know everything all at once- people are too complicated and it takes time to build an understanding, a trust, and good rapport. The goal of the first session is to get a general sense of who you are, some of your most significant experiences, and what concerns bring you to therapy. You are also encouraged to ask me questions about my approach, my perspectives, my experience and trainings. This is a time for us to meet and get a sense of how we may work together to accomplish your overall goals.
I have a successful record of helping clients navigate major life changes and times of upheaval. Whether we are adjusting to the first job and first relationship or transitioning from the last, we may feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and exhausted or simply stuck. I have helped clients alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, leave abusive relationships, adjust to separation/divorce, practice effective co-parenting, resolve childhood traumas, build effective coping skills, adjust to retirement, and reconsider work-life balance. Creativity is fundamental to my perspective and approach; I love to include arts-based and/or somatic work while remaining flexible and open to each client's individual needs.
I love working with people in the midst of life changes and transitions. Whether navigating the first job and relationship, or transitioning from the last, I assist people in clarifying concerns, redefining values and priorities, honing life skills and stress management, resolving past experiences, and increasing self-esteem and confidence to build a life worth living. My clients may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, depressed, burned out, or simply lost; but are yearning for change.
EMDR is an effective approach to reprocessing and resolving emotional distress from past experiences. EMDR does not require clients to verbalize events and may be used even if there is no specific memory associated with the distress. I've used EMDR to help trauma survivors, people struggling with anxiety, and those seeking help to overcome unhelpful patterns originating in childhood. FLASH is another technique used to help clients resolve past experiences. Unlike EMDR, FLASH does not require people to experience long exposures to distressing emotions/memories. However, like EMDR, FLASH does not require clients to verbalize what happened to them and appears just as effective in reprocessing and resolving distressing emotions related to past or even recent experiences.
Everyone has inherent strengths that can become a quick stabilizing force when life feels overwhelming and difficult. I work to help clients identify and explore these strengths, finding leverage to promote growth, affirm each individual's experiences, and support each client in reaching their unique goals.
Every individual follows their own path, at their own pace. I am here to support, not dictate. I will respect each client's boundaries, tolerances, and pace. Healing trauma is a process that can sometimes take longer than we expect; and sometimes healing trauma is not the client's primary goal. I focus on creating a safe and supportive space, listening for and prioritizing client needs, and take next steps one at a time.
My primary purpose is to hold a safe space for each of my clients. I strive to provide a supportive and accepting environment within which you are able to fully express and explore your own experiences and wishes.
I acknowledge the importance of including body and breath in healing. For clients who are open to these approaches, I suggest and may incorporate breath work, stretches/yoga poses, reflexive tremoring, and other body-based approaches to support nervous system regulation and deeper relaxation.