LCSW, 1 years of experience
New to Grow
I experienced a lot of challenges early in my adult life, and when I decided to go to college, I found myself most comfortable in the path that I chose, which was social work. I have extensive experience with family and addiction, as well as to work with people with depression.
The first session is geared to my learning what your needs are and what kind of help you are looking for. In getting to know you I would be gathering a lot of information including history. Together we will develop goals and treatment plan.
My life experience that brings me into clinical social work practice along with an education focussed on helping people are my strengths. I understand what it feels like to need help and to get it. In session I provide feedback and am active in every session.
My experience is in addiction that includes alcohol, drugs, gambling and other behavioral addictions that cause problems. I have worked with family members of addiction, extensively. In addition The most frequent client that I have seen are those experiencing anxiety and depression. Family and relationship issues are also something I work with frequently. I have a mental health treatment background, and have seen depression and anxiety as the most common issue that brings someone in for help. My experience comes from working in multiple treatment settings including inpatient, detox, rehabilitation and on an outpatient mental health setting.
I have used this approach for many years as a useful therapy format. CBT helps a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful (for example, having a low opinion of their abilities) and then question those thoughts, understand how the thoughts affect their emotions and behavior, and change self-defeating behavior patterns.
I have used Motivational Interviewing to help clients decide if they have a problem with chemical use and for them to explore the effects chemicals have had on their lives.
Psycho-education is used to educate a client about their presenting problems and effective ways to make changes.