Hello and thank you for visiting my profile! Reaching out for help is a big step for many people and I truly appreciate your courage and willingness to lean into growth and problem-solving! I am excited to get to know more about you and how I might be helpful or supportive. I operate from a strong relationally-based approach that is client-centered, solution-focused, and non-judgmental. I am very committed to building rapport, open communication, and assisting in helping you meet the goals you set, at the pace that you feel is appropriate. I believe in creating a nurturing, comfortable, and safe space for expression that promotes authentic exploration and insight. To tell you a bit about myself, I have been an independently licensed social worker since 2013. I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology from Wheaton College in Massachusetts (2006) and my master's degree in social work from the University of New England in Maine (2010). I spent much of my earlier professional career working with children/adolescents, young adults, and families, primarily within the confluence of mental health and education, before transitioning into private practice. My clinical approach and style is always crafted for the person/people sitting in front of me, drawing influence from Cognitive Behavioral, Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Humanistic, and Somatic forms of Therapy (among others), including techniques in mindfulness, rational emotive therapy, applied behavioral analysis, family systems, relational therapy, and narrative therapy. We will work together to figure out what you are comfortable exploring and how I can be most effective in helping you to reach your goals. My therapeutic skillset is strongest with individual challenges related to behavioral/emotional management (such as coping with strong feelings or life events, self-control, child/adolescent social/emotional/behavioral struggles), identity formation/re-formation/life transitions (exploring feelings of being lost or alone, questions such as, "Who am I? How do I figure out who I am/who I want to be/what I want to do with my life moving forward? How have/are experiences and influences affecting my sense of self and others?"), and relational dynamics (family systems, parent/child relationships, sibling relationships, and peer relationships). I am also well-practiced in working with people who are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. As stated above, it takes courage and strength to lean into putting the work into actively creating change in a positive direction. The fact that you are here reading profiles is an accomplishment to be celebrated! I am here for you if/when you are ready, and look forward to celebrating your future achievements!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
It's important to know that the first session is quite a bit different from the rest of therapy. It is meant to be an introduction to therapy... involving an opportunity for you to learn more about the clinician's style, an opportunity for the clinician to explore and assess your stated challenges/needs, and a discussion of treatment goals and planning. This process will hopefully assist both you and me in figuring out a therapeutic "goodness of fit,"... meaning that I feel I have enough experience to assist you in meeting your expressed goals and you feel that my approach to treatment feels comfortable and right for you.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I consider my approach to therapy to be above all else, very relationally-based and client-centered. This means that I may reach to many different therapeutic approaches, in general, or even throughout a single session, to meet your specific and individual needs. Through the therapeutic relationship built and what I learn about your behaviors and preferences, I'll discuss potential courses of therapeutic action and work with you to find what/where feels most comfortable to begin. I believe success most frequently comes in very small steps of realistically achievable goals and recognition of the little wins along the path.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My therapeutic skillset is strongest with individual challenges related to behavioral/emotional management (such as coping with strong feelings/emotions or life events, self-control, social/emotional/behavioral struggles), identity formation/re-formation/life transitions (exploring feelings of being lost or alone, questions such as, "Who am I? How do I figure out who I am/who I want to be/what I want to do with my life moving forward? How have/are experiences and influences affecting my sense of self and others?"), and relational dynamics (family systems and how they contribute to behavior in friendships and romantic relationships, questions such as, "How does my past experience affect my present behavior?").