LMFT, 15 years of experience
Hello! My name is Brigette and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in East Bay, California. I have 15 years experience working with clients, providing therapeutic counseling services. I have worked with a diverse population of clients ranging from children, teens, adults, and elders. I provide services for individuals and families assisting with issues such as depression, isolation, anxiety, self esteem, trauma, loss, relationship issues, parenting issues, and more. I enjoy working with individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds and I value genuineness and collaboration with my clients. I provide a safe and supportive holding environment that is authentic and nonjudgmental in nature. I tailor my specific approach depending on client situation, needs, and goals for therapy. As well as draw from theories such as CBT, Solution Focused, Family Systems, and Client Centered modalities. Growth and change are encouraged through self reflection and finding practical solutions to problems. Making a change can feel overwhelming and scary, but if you are ready to take the first step and begin the road to a new way of life, I am here to help uplift and support you! I appreciate your courage and I look forward to hearing from you!
In our first session my main objective is to get to know you and understand what brings you in for support. I ask open ended questions to build rapport, gather relevant background information/ history, and identify treatment goals to address and explore in follow-up sessions.
Based upon 15 years of experience I am able to form strong alliances with my clients that helps empower them to explore problems and make necessary changes, all while feeling supported and understood. I provide open and nonjudgmental space for clients to be themself and embrace their strengths.
I love working with transition aged youth who are managing life stage changes and navigating adjustments such as starting careers, relationships, college or new professions. I love working with individuals who are open to change and willing to explore and learn new ways of coping and balancing life.
Brigette Girardey offers therapy covered by CalViva Health (Medi-Cal), Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Net (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
I encourage clients to identify and utilize their existing strengths and positive qualities to increase positive self regard and feelings of well being. I empower clients to use their internal resources to navigate various situations and motivate change.
I collaborate with clients to focus on specific identified goals. Work with clients to explore history of the problem and try additional ways to approach a situation to achieve goals.
I utilize mindfulness techniques with clients to decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, dissociation, and negative thinking patterns. These techniques can include relaxation, grounding, and meditation.
This is a client centered approach I employ to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence, which is utilize throughout treatment to maintain levels of motivation for clients to achieve goals.
I have experience utilizing TF-CBT with kids and teens to cope with effects of trauma and symptoms of PTSD. TF-CBT workbook is used in conjunction with other modalities during sessions to help kids identify and express emotions, learn relaxation and mindfulness, coping skills are explored, safety planning, and writing of narrative.