As a therapist, I strive to embody the qualities that many people find hard to access. While I prioritize being caring, empathetic, and supportive, I also bring a grounded perspective to our work together. I utilize evidence-based therapies, but I recognize that some of the conventional interventions seen in textbooks may not resonate in today’s rapidly changing world. My focus is on your strengths, allowing me to customize your treatment in a way that makes therapy engaging, challenging, and ultimately effective.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, time-limited approach that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My experience with CBT has been enlightening, both for my personal development and my work with clients.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Completing an intake process collaboratively is essential for building a strong therapeutic relationship. Here’s a streamlined approach: 1. Introduction: - Welcome the client and explain your therapeutic approach. 2. Gathering Information: - Discuss the client’s history, current concerns, and any medications they’re taking. 3. Needs and Goals: - Identify the client's specific needs and what they hope to achieve in therapy. 4. Treatment Options: - Discuss potential treatment modalities, including medication management and therapy approaches. 5. Establishing a Treatment Plan: - Create an initial treatment plan together, outlining goals, session frequency, and interventions. 6. Roles and Responsibilities: - Clarify the roles of both the therapist and client in the process. 7. Boundaries and Logistics: - Discuss session logistics, including frequency and confidentiality guidelines. 8. Feedback: - Allow time for the client to ask questions and express concerns, and schedule a follow-up to review progress. This collaborative approach ensures both the client and therapist are aligned and ready for the therapeutic journey.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe in tailoring our sessions to ensure you receive personalized support. It's important to me that you feel you're getting the most out of our time together. We’ll focus on identifying the root causes of your challenges, developing effective coping skills, and ensuring you truly feel heard throughout the process. This individualized approach can make a significant difference in your therapeutic journey.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I work with clients who experience ongoing mental health challenges that often necessitate medication management. I also support individuals dealing with everyday issues, such as adjustment disorders, which many of us encounter throughout life.
About Michelle Robaina
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a unique approach that emphasizes the importance of psychological flexibility and helps individuals engage with their thoughts and feelings in a more constructive way. My experience with ACT has been transformative, both personally and professionally. In practice, I begin by guiding clients to develop an understanding of their thoughts and feelings without trying to change or avoid them. This involves helping them recognize and accept their emotional experiences as natural, rather than something to be feared or suppressed. I often incorporate mindfulness techniques to assist clients in staying present and observing their thoughts without judgment. Another key component of ACT is helping clients clarify their values and connect their actions with those values. We work together to identify what truly matters to them, which serves as a motivation for making meaningful changes in their lives. This is crucial for fostering commitment to action, even in the face of difficult emotions. Through exercises like the "Passengers on the Bus," I help clients visualize their journey through life and recognize that unwanted thoughts and feelings can be passengers on that bus, but they don’t have to take control of the steering wheel. By focusing on values-based living, clients can take steps towards goals that align with their true selves. Overall, my application of ACT involves a blend of mindfulness, value clarification, and action-oriented strategies that empower clients to live more fulfilling lives despite their internal struggles. It's rewarding to witness clients grow in their ability to accept their experiences and commit to actions that lead them toward a more meaningful existence.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, time-limited approach that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My experience with CBT has been enlightening, both for my personal development and my work with clients. In my practice, I start by helping clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to their emotional distress. This often involves teaching them to recognize cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking or catastrophic reasoning. By bringing awareness to these unhelpful thoughts, clients can begin to see their situations from a more balanced perspective. Once clients are aware of these patterns, I guide them through the process of reframing their thoughts. We work together to formulate more constructive and realistic views, which can help alter their emotional responses and behaviors. For instance, if a client struggles with anxiety about public speaking, we might challenge the belief that they will perform poorly and replace it with a more positive and realistic assessment of their skills. Another important element of CBT in my practice is skills training. I often teach clients various coping strategies, such as problem-solving techniques and relaxation exercises, which can help them manage their emotions in real-time. This experiential learning allows clients to apply what they’ve learned outside of our sessions and build resilience. Additionally, I incorporate behavioral interventions, such as exposure therapy, when clients are dealing with phobias or avoidance behaviors. By gently exposing them to feared situations in a controlled manner, they can gradually decrease their anxiety and increase their confidence. Overall, my application of CBT focuses on empowering clients to take an active role in their mental health by providing them with practical tools and strategies. It’s fulfilling to see clients gain insight into their thought patterns and take proactive steps toward change, ultimately leading to improved emotional well-being.