LPC, 40 years of experience
New to Grow
I have always held a deep affection for the field of Human Services since the day my siblings came to me seeking advice for whatever problems they had. That personal experience fueled my pursuit of a career in counseling and therapy. My credentials include a Master's in Human Services, a Licensed Professional Counselor in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and a National Certified Counselor. For over 40 years, I have been blessed with opportunities to serve as a clinician across diverse settings, including Child Welfare, Criminal Justice, Education, the Corporate Sector, and Military Family Life (all branches). I pride myself in being an instrument that provides a genuine, safe space for clients to embrace who they are while welcoming change, operating with the core belief that “everything starts and ends with the individual".
In our first session, my primary goal is to establish a safe, welcoming, and collaborative environment. We will begin with open-ended questions designed to build rapport and to discuss essential logistics, including informed consent, confidentiality and its limits, client expectations, my counseling approach, initial assessments, and scheduling/cancellation policies. Following this introduction, we will move to the heart of the matter: exploring your reasons for seeking services and working together to establish initial, collaborative treatment goals. My encouragement for the first session is to offer a breath of fresh air to the client, as I say, “Together, let’s do this”!
My greatest strengths lie in my distinct, personable professional approach, which is eclectic in nature and enhanced by a sense of humor and an energetic personality. This specific individualized formula allows me to engage even the most resistant clients effectively. I am best known for my impeccable communication, active listening, and strong engagement skills, which form the foundation of our therapeutic alliance. I firmly believe, I am fulfilling my purpose in life by empowering individuals how to obtain the best that life has to offer, regardless of both internal and external circumstances.
I am best positioned to engage clients who are ready, or even hesitant, to engage in the process required to effectively correct thinking and behavioral patterns for lifelong change. Additionally, I am best positioned to engage individuals dealing with a diagnosed mental illness who are committed to improving their overall emotional well-being and quality of life. In any form of therapeutic change, I have come to realize the essential role of client empowerment. My approach operates from the premise that "all things work together for an abundance of good” as clients process, adjust to, and navigate through life's challenges.
I have found CBT to be highly effective in empowering individuals to understand how the interplay among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors shapes their life experiences. CBT allows individuals to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
The use of Supportive Therapy allows me to develop a strong, therapeutic, and genuine alliance with clients, demonstrating encouragement, respect, and a focus on their goals. This dynamic is crucial to an effective therapist-client relationship and a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood.
Utilizing a solution-focused approach is critical to making progress, as the method focuses on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. It emphasizes identifying and using an individual's strengths and resources to achieve goals.
This therapeutic approach allows me to integrate spirituality with traditional counseling principles to address emotional and behavioral issues without focusing on a specific religion. Additionally, this approach is very effective when introducing the nature of forgiveness, love, hope, and purpose.