LPCC, 27 years of experience
Greetings! I am both a clinical counselor and licensed social worker in the state of Ohio. I have both a master's degree and a Ph.D. in the counseling field. My work has been in an outpatient clinic, a university setting, acute mental health care, and long term care. My passion is to bring my expertise in the field of mental health to the counseling relationship in order to collaborate with clients who are experts in themselves and their own life experience.
My job in our first session is to help you feel comfortable with the counseling process. I will ask you questions and provide you opportunities to explain what brought you to counseling and what you hope to accomplish in our work together.
As a therapist I have confidence in my ability to support you and help you feel heard and valued. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is not just Otis's work turned Aretha's signature song, it is also my motto and the foundation for my work. I may not have your lived experience, but I will do all I can to deeply understand you and will always value and respect you as a fellow human being.
I love to work with people experiencing life transitions, older adults and their caregivers, college students, and anyone longing to find self acceptance and to live a life of thriving.
I have co-lead DBT groups, learning from an experienced "guru". DBT is wonderful for individuals experiencing the challenges of Borderline Personality Disorder; but I have found the techniques and skills to be helpful in both individual and group therapy for people with substance issues, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and many more. I try to practice DBT skills in my personal life and offer them to clients to improve symptoms and help live a more meaningful life.
CBT is highly researched and effective. I incorporate CBT by helping clients to see how their thoughts and deeper beliefs can be changed to improve their lives.
I have been trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy and utilize it to help clients discover and heal their attachment wounds.
I was trained in the use of CPT for military connected persons dealing with trauma.
Motivational interviewing is the technique I use, not just for people dealing with addictions, but with anyone struggling to choose to make changes in their life. I will always apply this and other techniques with transparency and respect for clients' autonomy.