LCSW, 30 years of experience
I am a middle aged Caucasian woman with quirky hobbies and interests. I enjoy getting out in nature, reading, learning, and re-charging with quiet time. I have been working with children, teens, adults, and parents in different roles for a few decades now and I continue to learn and develop greater understanding of human diversity. I enjoy working with people of various ages, genders, sexual orientation, ethnicity and cultures.
During our first session I will be gathering information about what is concerning you, how your concerns/challenges are impacting your life and what you are hoping therapy could help with. The first session, despite the need for gathering a lot of information, is still only 1 hour. Despite my desire to go slow, I will have to focus on information gathering. This first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of whether you think we are a good fit for working together.
One thing that makes me unique is that I have lived experience as a neurodivergent person who has raised a neurodivergent child. I have experience with the ways in which being a neurodivergent person living in a world created for neurotypical people creates challenges. I have professional training that has further developed my understanding of neurological differences and how they can present throughout the lifespan. I use a neurodivergent affirming relational approach in my work with clients, recognizing differences are not deficits. In my work with clients I regularly am able to see those "aha" moments when a client recognizes something about themselves that leads to deeper understanding.
My ideal adult clients are dealing with some complex issues, perhaps experiencing a mix of depression and anxiety, along with job or school stress, while trying to find a way forward in their lives despite some of the distressing things happening in the world right now. Some clients may have a past diagnosis of Autism, Asperger's, ADHD or Gender Dysphoria and are experiencing an increase in anxiety and depression that is interfering with relationships or pursuit of goals. Some people, kids or adults, might be in burnout and struggling with tasks like brushing teeth, eating, or going to school or work. Parents may be seeking help for a child or teen who has some intense behaviors that are not improving with traditional reward and consequence approaches. I usually meet with children/teens weekly and, ideally, parents will be able to make time for regular 1:1 check-ins to review recent behaviors, explore possible triggers to their child's unwanted behavior, discuss parenting strategies and possible additional supports they may need. Parents have far more time with their child than I will and are a necessary part of treatment, together we can develop a more comprehensive understanding of your child's strengths and challenges.
ACT is a very effective approach of addressing a client's experience of anxiety, frustration, and hopelessness. It offers a way to recognize thoughts, feelings, behaviors and patterns that keep a person feeling stuck. ACT offers tools for increasing flexibility, improving self-understanding, identifying values and getting unstuck by taking steps, actions, that align with one's values. Your values, not mine. I see my role as being more of a guide, offering a new way of looking at something. Perhaps pointing out when you have taken the familiar path that has taken you further from who you want to be or the life you want for yourself.
I approach my clients with an awareness that each person has inner strengths, capacities to learn and reflect on what is important to them, the ability to make positive life choices. While recognizing past life experiences have had an impact on a person, and this can be helpful in understanding how a person developed thoughts and behaviors over time, with a humanistic approach there is a focus on the present. I incorporate this approach when I encourage reflection on current thoughts, emotions, and actions you can take that move you forward in your life.
TF-CBT focuses specifically on the effects of trauma on individuals, including their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. I include key elements of this approach when working with all ages of clients. Elements such as coping and relaxation skills, cognitive reprocessing of past events, education about the normal responses of the nervous system to perceptions of threat and how trauma experiences can lead to intensified stress responses, identification of trauma triggers (reminders). Progress towards the goal of being less negatively impacted by past frightening events takes time and I follow the pace being set by my clients.
Children communicate their thoughts and feelings through play and this is how they process difficult experiences. I have worked with children from age 4 on up through a tele-health platform. During our sessions I encourage parents to be present as this can help a child, or teen, to feel safe. When a child is ready for a parent to move away they will usually give signs of this. Sometimes a young teen wants a parent in the room, but several feet away, while other children want privacy to meet 1:1. My goal is to follow the child's lead as I want them to feel safe meeting with a new person. Play therapy via telehealth can include art (please have some paper and colored pencils on hand), story books, games, finger puppets/stuffed animals. I prefer to meet 1:1 with parents every few weeks so we can collaborate as a team and you can inform me about ongoing challenges or progress.