Tanya Gray-Dorsett
Feeling overwhelmed, doubting yourself, or stuck without a path forward? Maybe you're constantly taking care of everyone else and putting your own needs aside. I am Tanya Gray-Dorsett, a Licensed Marriage, Child and Family Therapist and I have spent 12 years helping individuals navigate anxiety, self-doubt, trauma, relationships, and major life transitions, whether it be life-stressor related problems or more intense mental health concerns. These can include job stress, problems with life transitions, Anxiety and Anxiety disorders, and Depression. I provide warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can be seen and heard, understood, accepted for who you are. I have extensive experience helping children and adults who have experienced trauma, and I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where difficult experiences can be explore at a pace that doesn't feel overwhelming or re-traumatize you. I have extensive knowledge and experience working with children with ADHD and educational problems. When I speak about my work with children and adolescents, caregiver involvement is of great significance! Which is where I lean to family systems work. I am currently mission-focused to help those who struggle with self-doubt, low self-esteem, problems with making self-sufficient decisions, and simply want to exist with confidence. My goal is to help you develop greater confidence, clarity, emotional balance, and healthier ways of navigating life's challenges. I also currently aim to support individuals who have trauma history and need that non-judgmental approach that allows them to feel safe and be open to talk about that trauma so that they may put it behind them and build brighter futures using a trauma informed model.
My biggest strength is that I see you and accept you as you are from the moment we begin our work together which will lead to a better trusting relationship throughout our work.
I don't focus so much on labeling you with a diagnosis. Rather, I want to focus on and understand the person behind the problem and what is happening in your life right now.
First session
In our first session, I will pay particular attention to your presenting issue and what you want to accomplish in our work together. This will be done by a very thorough intake process with an assessment that will allow you to express and explain your mental health concerns including all important significant factors such as the history of the issue, social factors that contribute to the issue, support systems and how interpersonal relationships either impair your functioning or uplift your autonomy. I will provide empathic, non-judgmental listening with focus on receiving what you say as you intend for me to understand it, which I will facilitate by asking clarifying questions. The most important focus of our first session is to begin to build rapport and trust so that all these other things will easily follow.
Strengths
I am very empathetic and have genuine regard for you as my client. My biggest strength is that I see you and accept you as you are from the moment we begin our work together which will lead to a better trusting relationship throughout our work. I understand that we all have life experiences and qualities that make us who we are so I welcome all and every part of you into our sessions. I believe strongly in healthy and strong support systems so I emphasize relationship building starting with the one between you and I. I work with you to identify what healthy relationships are so you can build those relationships that are best for you to support your growth.
Ideal clients
I feel that I am fit to serve people with many mental health issues, which is evidenced by my experience working in different settings in community based mental health. Currently, I am focused on serving individuals struggling with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and anxiety related disorders, trauma history related distress, and trust and relationship building problems, adhd, adjustment disorders/stress or anxiety relative to change or transition, and low self-esteem or low confidence or problems with being assertive. I will also work with individuals who need help building appropriate parenting skills or struggling with parenting children with moderate to severe disabilities such as autism or adhd.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help you identify the irrational thoughts and faulty thinking that you use as self-dialogue to create negative feelings and emotions that manifest in your maladaptive behaviors that undermine your optimal functioning. In my work with you using CBT you will learn to replace those negative thoughts with positive and motivating thoughts and feelings that will empower you to make healthier choices leading to a more fulfilling life.
Location
Virtual sessions