LMSW-C, 13 years of experience
Greetings! I am a social worker residing in Michigan. I received my master of clinical social work from Michigan State and have held a full license (LMSW) to practice since 2013. Throughout my professional journey, I have worked with individuals, families, and groups in outpatient settings (office), community settings (homes, healthcare, and schools), and as a researcher, trainer, and coach. I work with individuals to build healthy coping skills and promote balanced wellness.
For starters, a virtual high-five for showing up! Then, possibly an awkward few minutes of introductions and talking about the weather. While we have to cover the important stuff (the why and the how of therapy), I really enjoy getting a sense of who you are and what you're about. And if that's part of the reason we're meeting, then I want to know about your life and your interests. After we've been able to establish some rapport, we'll begin to discuss goals, methods, and scheduling.
Therapy isn't just a profession for me. It's a vital component of my well-being. My training and my personal experience have cultivated an appreciation for therapy that really impresses on me the importance of each individual journey. With that in mind, I strive to remain compassionate, open-minded, and creative in solving problems, overcoming barriers, and working toward progress.
I enjoy working with young-adult and middle-aged individuals who are struggling with symptoms related to burnout, anxiety, and ADHD. We might be a good fit if you are interested in exploring topics around balance, resilience, values, and relationships.
Many challenges in our lives involve a mind-body dynamic that can be aided with an approach that seeks to redefine relationships between our thoughts and our behaviors. I appreciate CBT for its user-friendliness and application to a wide array of situations and settings. With the help of personalized CBT strategies, individuals are equipped to approach life with increasing confidence.
Mindfulness is a great approach for individuals that may be struggling to maintain balance, create healthier routines, and consistently address health and wellness needs. Mindfulness is about being intentional with our behavior and choices in the moment. I most appreciate this aspect of therapy because it can enhance one's tolerance for pain, stress, and frustration by providing individuals with tools and practices that increase a person's ability to reframe situations in order to "just keep swimming!"
How do your values drive your choices? What's truly important to you? Do you have a clear "why" for life? With narrative therapy, individuals are exposed to concepts and questions in order to clarify a values-driven approach to all dimensions of life. Struggles with identity and purpose are often linked to a lack of motivation and direction, which can be linked to an array of mental health and wellness struggles. Often, learning more about who we are-and why-can be restorative and healing as we seek to move past current roadblocks in our lives.