As a dedicated therapist, I understand that life can present us with challenges that sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you're a child, adolescent, adult, or part of a family seeking support, I'm here to guide you through these experiences. I believe that therapy is not just a service; it’s a vital resource that can help you navigate life's ups and downs and empower you to become your best self. In our sessions, I strive to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where you can express yourself freely and explore your feelings without judgment.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In your first therapy session with me, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where you feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings. Here’s what typically happens: Introductions and Overview: We’ll start with introductions, and I’ll explain my approach to therapy and what you can expect from our work together. Gathering Background Information: I’ll ask about your history, current challenges, and what brings you to therapy. This is an opportunity for you to share your story and any specific goals you have in mind. Exploring Goals: We’ll discuss what you hope to achieve in therapy. Setting clear, achievable goals is a key focus of our sessions, helping us steer our work in a meaningful direction. Understanding Your Values: I’ll help you identify your core values, which will guide our work together and ensure that your therapy aligns with what matters most to you. Building Rapport: Establishing a trusting relationship is vital, so I’ll encourage you to ask any questions you have about the process. It’s important that you feel comfortable and understood. Initial Strategies: Depending on your needs, we might start discussing some initial strategies or techniques you can use right away to manage your challenges. Next Steps: By the end of the session, we’ll summarize what we discussed and outline the next steps. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of our path forward. Overall, the first session is about laying a foundation for our therapeutic relationship and ensuring you feel heard and supported.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a therapist, I believe my greatest strengths lie in the following areas: Empathy and Compassion: I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel understood and valued. My ability to empathize allows me to connect with clients on a deeper level. Active Listening: I practice attentive listening, ensuring that clients feel heard and their experiences validated. This fosters trust and encourages open communication. Tailored Approaches: I utilize an integrative approach to therapy, combining various techniques to meet each client’s unique needs. This flexibility helps ensure that our work is relevant and effective. Focus on Strengths: I emphasize clients' strengths and resources, empowering them to recognize their capabilities and build resilience in facing challenges. Commitment to Growth: I am dedicated to my own professional development, continuously seeking new knowledge and skills to enhance my practice. This commitment benefits my clients and keeps my approach fresh and informed. Cultural Sensitivity: I approach therapy with an awareness of cultural differences and strive to understand how these influences shape my clients' experiences and perspectives. Overall, these strengths help me build strong, collaborative relationships with clients, fostering an environment conducive to healing and growth.
About Lawanda McGee
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1806 Woodfield Drive, Savoy, IL, USA, 105Appointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
As a therapist using Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), I focus on identifying and amplifying your strengths to foster positive change. Here’s how we’ll work together: Goal Setting: We’ll start by clarifying what you want to achieve in therapy and envisioning a future without your challenges. Highlighting Strengths: Together, we’ll identify your existing strengths and past successes, emphasizing your ability to overcome difficulties. Miracle Question: I may use the "miracle question" to help you visualize a life where your problems are resolved, clarifying your desires. Scaling Questions: We’ll use scaling questions to assess your progress and confidence, allowing us to track improvements. Focus on Solutions: Our discussions will center on solutions and actionable steps you can take moving forward. Homework Assignments: I may suggest small tasks to practice new skills or perspectives between sessions.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In our sessions using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), my focus will be on helping you develop psychological flexibility and align your actions with your core values. Here’s how we’ll work together: Acceptance: We’ll explore your distressing thoughts and feelings, guiding you to accept them as part of life rather than trying to eliminate them. Cognitive Defusion: I’ll teach you techniques to create distance from unhelpful thoughts, helping you see them as just words, not truths. Present Moment Awareness: We’ll practice mindfulness techniques to help you stay grounded and aware of your thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed. Values Clarification: Together, we’ll identify your core values to guide your actions and decisions, fostering a sense of purpose. Committed Action: I’ll support you in setting meaningful goals aligned with your values and creating actionable steps to move forward. Self-as-Context: We’ll develop a broader sense of self, helping you recognize that you are more than your struggles. Through ACT, my goal is to empower you to live a fulfilling life by accepting what you cannot change and committing to actions that align with your values.