Hello My name is Kianna and I have been working in the mental health field for more than 20 years. I attended undergrad at Colgate University where I studied Sociology and Biology. There I developed a passion for Mental Health and a thirst to understand why people do the things we do. I attended the Syracuse University School of Social Work and majored in Mental Health. I have worked with diverse populations of all ages since then and came to find that I enjoy working with people who have come from disadvantaged backgrounds, people of color, women, Autists, and persons living with Anxiety and Trauma of all kinds. Trauma comes in many forms and the abuser can be a member of your family, a stranger and even your society. As a Social Worker of color, I was drawn to becoming a therapist after my own struggle to find a therapist that looks like me. I want to dismantle the stigma that many communities carry about seeking help for mental challenges and show people that everyone can benefit from a better relationship with themselves.
A first session is about gathering information to see if you and I are a good fit. Every therapist is not for every person. I would love to work with you I may not be the best therapist for you. Feel free to come to our first session with questions about the therapy process and about me. The first session is also a time for me to gather some background information about you and your history. I need to gain a better understanding about why you chose to come to therapy NOW. What is going on in your life that I can help you with?
I have a quirky sense of humor. I am logical and a deep thinker. I care very deeply about my clients. I am Neurodivergent and I feel this makes me a better therapist. I am a woman and a person of color. I also have worked in many different settings including outpatient clinics, drug treatment centers, inpatient mental hospitals and various types of correctional facilities. I have a lot of experience and would like to use that experience to help you gain a better understanding of yourself.
I use MI to help clients identify and focus on their reasons for achieving identified goals. MI also helps to eliminate barriers to achieving those goals
Behaviors and thoughts are interrelated. Changing the way you think can help to create changes in your behaviors.
You are the expert on your own story and its my job to help you recognize that you hold the key to making all of the positive changes in your life.