I have dedicated and invested my entire education in the healthcare field, primarily as a Clinical Mental Health Therapist. Formal education began at Kirtland Community College where I earned a degree in licensed practical nursing, the followed with a bachelor's degree in social work from Saginaw Valley State University. Two years later I returned to college for a master’s degree in therapeutic recreation for the emotionally/mentally impaired from Central Michigan University, and a master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. I respectfully bring 39 years of experience in helping families, children, adults, and adolescents in all aspects of mental health and substance use disorders. I have also worked in a variety of settings, both outpatient/inpatient mental health and substance use programs as well as county jails, hospitals, and prisons. Holly is well-practiced in assessment, diagnosis, psychoeducation, group, individual, and couples therapy, referrals, and crisis management. I have trained for decades developing my craft in a variety of social work theories and models, I place special emphasis on Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Solution Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In working with me, you will find that I listen, inspire, and support you in reaching your goals and dreams. I was born and raised in northern lower Michigan and graduated from Roscommon High School. I am married with three children and four grandchildren. In my leisure, I am known to be found hunting, fishing, and enjoying my passion for the outdoors.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session will begin with introductions, and to address the awkwardness of meeting a new therapist for the first time. My goal is to quickly establish rapport, and form an alliance through empathetic listening and by finding something in common with the patient so that a connection is felt. I will provide my business card, discuss how I can be reached through texting or phone calls, and what my availability is for questions or if a crisis arises. To foster trust I will explain the HIPPA Laws regarding confidentiality, and how their client record will be handled securely. I will also be asking throughout the course of the initial meeting to please feel free to ask questions, explaining that questions are welcomed as this is the part of a good exchange between the therapist and the patient. I will also tell the patient that I will be sharing my thoughts and observations on what they are sharing with me, so that they know what I’m thinking and how it aligns with their experience. Once the communication link is established I will begin by asking some questions to know what has brought them into treatment. Problem areas, stressors, conflicts, discrepancies will be identified, the client is welcomed to “tell their story of where they are at” “and to “identify how they feel” with the main goal of knowing the therapist will be determining how to help you learn to better help yourself. If (their)your story is short or if there is difficulty expressing where to begin, as a therapist I will review the history provided and ask questions and attempt to draw out feelings, ideas, and troubling thoughts. Based on the information received, a treatment plan will be developed collaboratively, with goals and objectives as they relate to the identified areas that need work. The patient will receive empathy, validation of thoughts, feelings and experiences throughout the intake process, and patients ' vulnerabilities will be honored and respected. The first session will be concluded by reviewing the treatment plan for validity, will encourage questions and concerns about the process, will thank the client for sharing their story and outlining the areas they wish to have help on.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a therapist I am extremely passionate about therapy. My strengths in counseling surround honesty, being truly empathetic and ethical. I am heartfelt about demonstrating respect, remaining judgment free, and building trust. I am able to provide critical thinking, problem solving, and effective compassionate communication. I value assisting others in transforming their lives by placing a high value on the clients well-being by developing a treatment plan that is uniquely theirs, where the client's decisions and life are truly supported and optimized
About Holly Harris
Specializes in
Licensed in
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Address
6526 Clearbrook Dr, St Helen, MI 48656Appointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
The focus of SFBT is to assist the patient to investigation the current and previously attempted solutions to a problem, identify what is maintaining it, then work collaboratively with the patient to construct and agree on clear concrete goals to define the change to be achieved, and finally formulating, implementing, and supporting the patient to achieve such change.
EMDR
EMDR is a structured therapy that I encourage the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports and I have experienced positive clinical outcomes showing that EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help a patient to become more aware of inaccurate or negative thinking, and how to change that thinking so one can then view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. Within CBT the knowledge comes from understanding the patterns of a problem and how it is linked to thoughts feelings and behavior. CBT is useful in addressing emotional challenges of depression, anxiety, triggers to stress, managing symptoms of mental illness, prevent a relapse of mental illness symptoms , identify better ways to manage emotions ,resolve relationship conflicts , and learn better ways to communicate.
Psychoeducation
I use Psycho education throughout the therapy process, it is used to provide education and information relevant to an area within mental health that needs development, such as gaining skills in self awareness self esteem, coping skills, values clarification, anger management, emotions and feelings, self sabotaging behaviors, communication skills, empowerment, stages of change, emotional regulation, problem solving and decision making, diagnosis education, relapse prevention, trauma, social skill building, to name just a few. Through the development of these skill sets, I have found that a person shall become more self aware, improve behaviors, manage thoughts and feelings.
Strength-Based
My aim of strengths-based therapy is to improve a person's emotional mindset, focused on a person's existing resources, resilience, and positive qualities, and personal strengths. Through this process of therapy the patient identifies personal strengths, thus becoming empowered to believe that they can promote change in their life. The patient becomes resourceful and resilient ,therefore, they are able to reduce problematic symptoms, and develop the ability to overcome obstacles in life.