LCSW, 3 years of experience
Hi! My name is Emilee. I am an LCSW in Florida and have worked with foster children for three and a half years. My goal is to meet my clients where they are and show them kindness and compassion. I have a gentle approach and it is important for my clients to feel they can share their troubles with a person that has their best interests at heart and will approach them in a completely judgement-free zone.
In our first session, you can expect me to ask some preliminary questions to learn about you as a person. I want to hear about your past experience with therapy if you have any, and I want to know how you feel coming into this. I want to instill in my clients that regardless of where they are in their mindset and life, I am here to be an active listener and help them achieve their treatment goals.
In working with children and teens in foster care for the last few years, I have an advanced understanding of trauma and cognitive behavioral patterns, along with many different ways they come across with children and young adults. I come to my sessions with kindness and compassion, and a willingness to go at the pace my client feels most comfortable.
I love working with young and new adults that are navigating through their lives as best as they know how. My clients often struggle with distorted thinking and low self-esteem, and I will challenge those distorted thoughts and help you to see your own strengths.
I utilize CBT to help clients challenge their thought processes and recognize their distorted thinking patterns. I believe in every one of my client's abilities to change their way of thinking in order to benefit their lives, and I believe one of the best ways to do this is in a collaborative partnership. Life can be extremely trying at times, but with a change in perspective, we can target negative thinking patterns and interrupt the cycle.
I use compassion focused therapy because I believe that reaching a client where they are at in their struggles is an effective and empathetic method to help them move forward.
In working with foster children for the last several years, I have become knowledgable on the effect trauma has on the body, mind, and spirit. I use this knowledge and understanding to help my clients navigate through healing and bettering themselves.
I use motivational interviewing as a way to remind my clients that they have the power to make positive changes in their lives. I make sure I work with my clients at their own pace and do not push for solutions before they feel ready to make the next step.
The client is always going to be the best advocate for themselves, and it is important for them to realize the power they have over their actions. I use the strengths-based perspective to help the client see themselves in a way where they understand they can make positive change.