LMHC, 8 years of experience
My approach is holistic and encompasses the whole person, addressing many dimensions of well-being, including biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors. I work with clients who have dual diagnoses, for example, a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, or more than one mental illness, for example, bipolar disorder and PTSD. Many of the clients I work with do not meet criteria for PTSD, but have post-traumatic stress that is causing other conditions.
During the first session, I will want to listen to you. I consider you the expert on you, although you might be angry, confused, in pain, overwhelmed; we have to work together to seek what makes you happy, what kind of life you want, and how to achieve it.
I have tremendous respect for my clients. Someone who attempts to engage in therapy is a person who is brave, who is willing to explore their strengths and take personal accountability to change what does not work.
I believe that I can best serve clients who have serious mental health conditions, addiction, grief, relationship issues, and experience of trauma.
I combine various therapeutic approaches that address the needs that are established by the client. I assist the client to develop SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed. I treat anxiety and depression which are common and universal, as well as bipolar disorder and trauma/PTSD. I work with individuals who are diagnosed with borderline personality disorder by assisting the individual to learn how to handle overwhelming emotions and develop a strong sense of self. With individuals experiencing addiction, I use a curriculum based on a developmental model of addiction and recovery, and I also facilitate the client's engagement in AA/NA.
Relationship issues, problematic substance use, personality problems, and many other stressors, can be traced back to childhood. We can explore issues including attachment style to work on inner child healing for the purpose of improving your mental health and relationships in the here and now. No one can change the past, we don't want to live there (emotionally), but sometimes we need to learn from it before it can be just the past.