Hi there and welcome! I’m Beth and I'm glad that you are here and have taken the first step towards self-care. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in PA. Maybe you've reached a point in your life where you have lost your motivation and your emotions seem to have gotten the best of you; perhaps you have a child who you are deeply concerned for. Whatever the issues may be, EVERYONE deserves to live to life that's meaningful. I strive to create a safe space where individuals can face their challenges head-on, become empowered, and regain a sense of security so they can begin living their best lives. I am a highly sensitive person (HSP), who is extremely empathic toward others. If you want to know more about HSP, just ask! I am a very down to earth person who has her own struggles just like everyone else. I have two wonderful children, a son who recently got married and a daughter who is currently in college. Between them and my husband, we all take turns driving each other crazy! I have a serious chocolate addiction and my family must hide it from me if it is in my house! If I am not eating chocolate, I am probably watching ID Discovery as I am obsessed with crime shows! I also love being outdoors in nature, as it tends to keep me balanced. The majority of strategies and tools that I offer my clients, have been implemented in my own personal life at some point. I believe that my life experience as a therapist, educator, mother, wife, daughter and friend have provided me with the qualifications to be a relatable ally for my clients. I spent the first 20 years of my career as a school teacher in Philadelphia, mostly with the younger grades, where I was privy to numerous situations occurring in their homes including all types of abuse and neglect. Sadly, the education system had very little interest in addressing the mental health issues these children were faced with. Instead, the district’s focus was solely on standardized testing and getting students to be on or above grade level in all academic areas. So, I did what I could, academically, and spent the rest of the day providing mental health support and a safe space for these kids who so desperately needed it. I came to realize that my calling was to provide support for those with emotional needs. I resigned and begin graduate school for mental health counseling.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, my clients will learn from the get go, that they will be heard and valued. They will share their concerns with me and we will begin to develop some goals, both short-term and long-term. My clients will see that I am the least judgmental person out there and will feel validated and reassured that no problem is "too big" or "too small" to experience relief.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I love working with individuals of all ages but seem to have found my niche with the adolescent and young adult populations. My mental health background is rather diverse. For a couple of years, I worked in a hospital setting, serving children and adults who were in active crisis mode. I spent time supporting domestic violence survivors at a woman’s shelter, both in person and on their hotline. Additionally, I have experience working at partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for teens and adults who were struggling with a variety of mental health issues. Most recently, I have been providing outpatient therapy for people of all ages, who face a multitude of challenges and/or diagnoses. I counsel many clients who have come to me with traumatic backgrounds and are looking to break free. I also enjoy providing tools and support for exhausted and frustrated parents who are mentally, emotionally and physically depleted. My 20 plus years as a teacher and raising two of my own children, provided me with a great deal of experience in that department! Anxiety and depression run in my family so I know, first in hand, just how debilitating it can make life feel. Some are of the belief that when we do not have all our needs met as children, we will always continue to struggle, even as adults. I can tell you from personal experience, this is not the case. I have many clients who have come to me feeling disillusioned and skeptical about whether healing can take place. I believe and continue to witness that if you are willing to put in the work, positive change is possible!