Good to meet you! Please, call me Annita. To begin with--therapy means something is "right" with you, as you listened to your heart asking to be heard by someone in a safe, non-judgmental place of acceptance. Now let me ask: anxiety or depression, histories or memories of childhood or adult traumatic events, grief and loss of a beloved family member, friend, or pet to whom you were closely connected, navigating chronic illness--have any of these challenges disrupted your life so it feels intolerable? Let me hear your heart--not with a stethoscope, but with listening to you. My 30+ years of previous career in nursing taught me that 'listening' to words from the heart is one of the most important aspects of a relationship--not just hearing the words but feeling the emotional impact as well. Having worked in adult and pediatric populations, I understand that all ages and populations deserve respect, kindness and compassion. I have worked as a mental health clinician with adolescents, teens, transitional age youth, young and older adults. From a nursing perspective, I am very aware of medical issues that often affect our mental health and may need assessment by a physician to provide the best treatment, while I offer the skills that increase abilities to cope with those needs. I provide experiences in your session to help you realize your worth, build coping skills, regain confidence as well as compassion for all you have experienced in life, continue to grow through challenges, and progress toward the goal you desire.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, I will provide you with a brief introduction of my education, career skills, and generally 'who I am'. I will briefly review the limits of confidentiality with you as a matter of safety and trust. I will ask you detailed questions regarding your goals for your therapy, details of 'who you are' to family, friends and community. Together we will make a plan with the aim of achieving your therapy goals. I may also incorporate methods during the session for you to practice daily to achieve a sense of calm and confidence in your self.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Techniques I use: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma- Focused CBT, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Mindfulness and Meditation. I also use the FLASH technique to decrease distress when recalling upsetting events, and EMDR for deeper reprocessing of events once a client can tolerate the recollection of a trauma without severe emotional distress. I will not ask a client to describe in detail a trauma if there is any indication they will endure severe anxiety at the slightest memory of the event. The FLASH technique can decrease distress to nearly or completely non-existent and does not require speaking about the traumatic event. I also assign homework and ask you to print out material pertaining to in-session exercises or information. This is for you to become able to implement the coping skills you learn during your sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Honesty and integrity were most important to me as a professional nurse. These qualities allowed the best possible care to be provided for all individuals. Those characteristics remain the foundation of positive therapeutic relationships between the client (you) and therapist (me). I value your honesty with me in the same manner I hope you may value mine. Whatever happens in this life, you matter. I am privileged to walk beside you on your journey, as you do the hard work of exploring your needs, acquiring new skills and moving forward in your life. With time, you will become your own best therapist, with a supportive community, peers and family as companions to your best life. I wish you a sense of peace, health, happiness, love and hope.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Clients over the age of 18 experiencing expected distress of life transitions