Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Tennessee. I received my Masters from the University of Tennessee and have been practicing for 24 years. I help adults that are experiencing emotional challenges that are interfering with their daily lives and I work with them to help them become the best versions of themselves. As a therapist, I would describe myself as someone who is patient, understanding, and nonjudgmental. I believe that everyone has their own unique story and experiences that have led them to where they are today, and it is my job to help them understand and work through those experiences. I am a good listener and I have a lot of empathy for my clients. I am also very supportive with a sense of humor and I will always try to find the positive in every situation.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Having worked with individuals for the past 24 years, I've developed a tried-and-true playbook for helping you (a) identify the root cause of your challenges and (b) create a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress. I believe that as a counselor, you must respect each client’s beliefs and struggles, and never assert your personal values or beliefs. Self-disclosure must be used appropriately and in necessary situations to further build out the therapeutic relationship. I believe that every client is different, you may have some that need time to warm up to you, while some aren’t afraid to divulge their life story from the start. An effective counselor must understand that communication needs to be personalized to each client. Interpersonal skills go beyond the context of therapy itself.
I love working with adults who are aware that something in their life is not working right now and they want to be in a position to make that necessary change in their life so they can leave the past in the past and begin moving forward. My clients are eager to improve, but don't yet have the tools needed to make this goal a reality. They often feel stuck, overwhelmed and anxious about certain areas of their life. Therapy can help them manage life’s varied challenges and live a more fulfilled life. It can help them understand what they are feeling, why and how to cope. Just like visiting the doctor for regular wellness exams, or the dentist for checkups, meeting with a therapist can help keep one's mental health in order. Indeed, therapy can be beneficial “just because.”
Other specialties
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my experience in the medical field, I believe that CBT aims to teach people that it is possible to have control over your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. CBT helps to challenge them and overcome automatic beliefs, and use practical strategies to change or modify their behavior.