LMHC, 2 years of experience
New to Grow
My name is Sharonda Paugh, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I am licensed in the state of Florida and have been for about 2 years. I attended school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando for my education. I am currently located in the state of Alaska, and have been for about 2 years, and I am passionate about my job and being able to help people gain a level of emotional and mental sense of freedom that they feel like they might be missing.
During the first session, intake questions will be completed, as well as a discussion about the client's presenting concerns. The counselor will then proceed to share with the client what the foreseeable future will look like in within their unique sessions. This will be based on their specific needs, which will be reflected in a treatment plan, so that the client can have an understanding of what the therapy process as well as their own individual journey might look like.
My perspective that is shared with clients is based on the education I've obtained, and evidence-based practice. I am also someone that is able to build rapport and connect with clients by using my own experiences to empathize with client struggles and help them to recover using things that have also worked for me through challenging and troubling times. Many past clients have shared that this approach is something that helps them to normalize their experiences and feel hopeful regarding their ability to move forward and successfully navigate their challenges.
I am best positioned to serve clients who feel like they are struggling, whether they know the reason(s) or not. Any client that is wanting to see a difference in their lives through either processing, or interventions created by the client and therapist together that are likely to help the client change their situation to the best of their ability. This will be completed by first, helping them to recognize what they can change, and then helping them to cope with and accept what they can't.
I have been using CBT much of the time I've practiced. I use it by examining the presenting problem for the client and then moving forward to help them process by trying to challenge unhelpful ways of thinking to try and shift the client's perspective to something more positive.