Hello, my name is Roberta Tvenstrup, LCSW. I am currently practicing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida. Prior to moving down south in 2014, I had been providing counseling services as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the state of Rhode Island for over 20 years. My clinical experience encompasses working in a multitude of settings such as mental health agencies, private practice, public school systems, and home-based services. I have a great deal of specialized training and experience in addressing depression, stress & anxiety, PTSD, relationship & familial conflict, and substance abuse. Providing counseling support often includes helping with adjusting to life changes and transitions, including coping with grief and loss as well as helping those who are or have been in traumatic and/or abusive situations. I believe, regardless of the presenting reason for seeking out counseling services, it is important for us to simultaneously be working on building your self-esteem, confidence, and increasing motivation to make healthy changes. I incorporate evidence-based practices into my clinical work with clients. These practices include cognitive-behavioral (CBT), strengths-based, client-centered, solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), and motivational interviewing (MI). I am also trained and certified in Acceleration Resolution Therapy (ART). As a Christian therapist, I am also able to incorporate faith-based practices and principles into my therapeutic work with clients when appropriate. Our work together will begin where you are and focus on moving you toward the place that you want to be. Your strengths and experiences will be drawn upon as tools in learning new approaches for coping with your past and/or present problematic stressors. I can assure you while working with me, you will be respected and valued; I am committed to demonstrating a non-judgmental, respectful, and unbiased work ethic in all of my counseling relationships. I believe that each and every one of my clients possess their own unique inner strength and hope which will help lead us to their desired outcomes. Working as a therapist has always been my greatest passion! My counseling approach with you will be founded on compassion, mutual respect, honesty, and desired outcomes. I am here to journey alongside you, helping you navigate and face all that is hindering you from living as the best version of yourself.; helping you discover who you truly are and how to become more of the person you were meant to be. Making change happen is a process and requires one to act. Our time together will encompass unconditional support and guidance in your movement towards making positive change happen. Finally, I would like to add that seeking help by engaging in a counseling relationship is a courageous and healthy decision. I am grateful that you chose to move forward and begin this journey; I look forward to accompanying you and helping you live out your best life! You can do this, you deserve it!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Clients will be treated with sincere, genuine, and unbiased respect each and every time they meet with me. I take the necessary time to get to know the "whole" client, including their past experiences, present situation, and future hopes and/or desired outcomes in working with me. Although we will create a treatment plan with goals to work towards, I begin each session where my client is. My clients will leave each session feeling heard, validated, challenged, and encouraged to keep moving forward. The decision to invest in therapy is a difficult one. My clients will be reassured they are not in this alone; they will come to know that I am committed and invested in this journey too!
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Treatment methods for me take on a holistic, eclectic, and client-centered approach. My therapy methods draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Strengths-Based, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I am also trained and certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART Therapy). ART Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach that uses relaxing eye movements and a technique called Voluntary Memory/Image Replacement. This therapy works to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. The best part is ART is shown to achieve benefits much more rapidly (usually within 1-5 sessions) than other methods of therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I feel that my biggest strength is working with trauma survivors. Incorporating Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) into my work with all clients, but especially those who have experienced some form of trauma in their life is definitely my niche. Training in ART Therapy has enabled me to bring about life-changing healing in clients. Helping clients come to realize the incredible strength they alone possess; to transform their self-perception from living out a life of despair to a life in which they are in control is my niche.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
older teens (17+) - adulthood, Christian counseling, trauma survivors, Veterans, PTSD trauma survivors