LCSW-C, 21 years of experience
New to Grow
I have been a practicing Clinician for the past 20+ years. I have worked with a broad range of individuals from ages 8 yrs. old through adulthood and into old age. My two plus decades in the field have been dedicated to assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of mental and emotional challenges, building a strong foundation of competence and professional reputation. I have cultivated a deeper understanding of human behavior and resilience which enhances my ability to help clients navigate their own complexities.
At the first session of treatment, one can expect to develop an understanding of the process. The client will interview the therapist to assess the fit going forward. There will be a lot of questions about the client, one's coping ability and symptoms (it's basically an interview). It can appear to be a draining experience since there will be some painful memories and feelings that may arise which have or have not been explored individually. All of this is expected and should not scare you. The process is highly confidential and how much one shares or chooses not to, will depend on the impression garnered from the therapist.
As a seasoned therapist, I prioritize building rapport with the client through empathetic therapeutic alliance. This involves meeting the client where they are at and collaborating with them to design goals and a path to wellness. I am skilled at quickly identifying underlying patterns connecting current struggles to past experiences (whether recent or childhood) to facilitate deeper understanding and insight. I use specific exercises such as mindfulness, cognitive reframing, validation and exploration. Clients have gained a deeper understanding of themselves, their motivations, and their interpersonal patterns. Further, clients have improved their ability to make conscious choices that align with their values, leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Those clients who would benefit most from CBT would be those who recognize that their current ways of thinking and behaving are contributing to their problems and are motivated to change. Those who want to work on specific measurable goals such as reducing anxiety attacks, improving social skills, challenging negative thinking, and are willing to actively participate in achieving them.
CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors that contribute to psychological distress. Generally, our thoughts influence how we feel, and our feelings guide our actions. In practice the we work together on changing thoughts through challenging and disputing the negativity and testing out new behaviors to improve outcomes. CBT is client focused effective for treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Emphasis is placed on a collaborative approach engaging the client with positivity and compassion. A clear idea of the client's own experience and expectations are developed to effect change in thoughts and patterns of behavior. Attempts are made to develop more balanced and realistic perspectives changing maladaptive thoughts, effectively reducing symptoms.