Licensed to practice in Ohio and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, LGBTQ, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
I have been a licensed social worker for the past 30 years. I have worked in child welfare and at the Veteran's Health Administration, and all of the work I have done has been working with people with anxiety, depression and or trauma. I think I lean as much from the people I work with as much as they learn from me. I believe people can change, people can grow and people are capable of making possible what seems impossible. I am eclectic in my practice, but I lean heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma informed, Reality based and Solution Focused treatment.
I usually tell people walking through that door the first time is one of the hardest things to do, in this case it is making the call to make a change. The first session is a time for us to talk and for me to get to know you a little bit. It is always awkward at first, but over time it gets easier. We will talk about what led you to reach out and ask for help, knowing it wasn't easy. I'll want to make sure you are comfortable with me and vice versa moving forward.
I think because I have been doing this work for a long time and in different settings that I feel pretty comfortable with what I bring to the table. I don't get shocked easily and feel that you have to bring a sense of humor with you a lot of times. I'm pretty laid back but also pretty straight forward. If you want someone to tell you what you want to hear, I'm not the person for you. I learned early on that we are not dealing with my life, but yours. and sometimes you need someone who can be compassionate as well as empathetically honest. This process is a journey, and I am willing to help you, guide you, support you and cheer you on, but it is and always will be your journey.
I don't think I have a dream client, but if pressed, I would say someone who was ready and willing to do the work to feel better about themselves. The ideal is to help someone live their true and authentic self, to know they have worth and value and that each day can be better than the day before. When I say people can change, it doesn't mean change who they are, it means to change their outlook, change the way they see the world and how they fit into it.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is easy to understand but is difficult to put into practice. It takes time and a willingness to do the work to see changes.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness is the art of being present in the moment. Living where your feet are.