New to Grow
My name is Rea. I am a first generation Filipina-American and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have years of experience in diverse clinical, medical, and educational settings and have worked with clients from all walks of life. We all have our own unique life experiences, some of which can be difficult to cope with. We get to choose how we deal with these difficulties. I help clients process their struggles and determine what coping skills will be most sustainable for them. Seeing the progress that clients make in coping better with the issues they presented with keeps me going.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The first session is focused on gathering background history, client symptoms and their reasons for entering into therapy. I also work on building rapport, making sure that I create a space where the client feels comfortable, supported, and heard. In addition, the client’s goals for therapy are established in this first meeting.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My approach is collaborative where we work together to help you gain self-awareness, self-compassion and coping skills you can work on. I provide a warm space where you can feel comfortable in sharing your thoughts and feelings openly.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I have experience helping clients going through stress, depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief/loss, prenatal and postpartum, and interpersonal struggles. In addition, I have also assisted those who are caregivers to a child with special needs or to a loved one with a chronic medical condition. Being a Filipino-American, I understand the struggles that come with navigating between cultures and have assisted those trying to cope with the impact of this unique experience.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients see the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In addition, I use CBT to increase their self-awareness by recognizing thought and behavioral patterns in response to situations. In doing so, I can help clients evaluate whether these patterns continue to serve them or not. CBT helps clients to pause as opposed to reacting.
Strength-Based
Using a strength-based modality, I help clients tap into their strengths to help increase motivation, self-esteem and confidence about their abilities.
Motivational Interviewing
Through Motivational Interviewing, I help clients grow by exploring their motivations for change. This is done by creating an environment that provides acceptance, empathy and openness.
Compassion Focused
I use Compassion Focused as a method to help clients who struggle with self-criticism and shame. Through compassion, clients develop a way to self-soothe, feel more safe, and improve emotional regulation.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
In understanding my client's cultural background and how it can shape their views, beliefs, and identity helps me as a therapist to better understand them, and therefore, improve the therapeutic relationship.