New to Grow
I'm a licensed independent clinical social worker who specializes in working with adolescents and young adults; adults who are experiencing a challenging transition in life such as learning how to adult; dealing with a break-up, divorce, or loss of a job that may leave them questioning next steps; as well as those who have gotten stuck in traditional talk therapy and want to try a fresh and different approach. My focus is on you and your goals, and ensuring I understand what you want to accomplish and what you need from therapy from the very first session. We will do frequent check ins to make sure I am doing what you need to fulfill your needs. We will work together to identify the therapeutic modalities that will work best for you. I want to create a space that is safe but will also push you when needed to achieve your goals. This is your therapy and I will do whatever I can to support you in your journey of becoming a happier and better human.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The first session will be a get to know you session. It is my top priority that we are aligned and a "good fit". If I am not who or what you want, please don't be afraid to tell me in session 1 and you can search for someone more aligned with your needs on the Grow Therapy platform. I invite you to Always Be Honest with me for the duration of our relationship. If at any point i am doing something that you don't like, let me know. This is Your Therapy! My #1 focus is you and what you want to accomplish with treatment. Depending on your need or desired outcome, we will do a brief or longer version of a client history.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My experience includes having been a client and being afraid to be honest when things were just not working with a therapist. I want my clients to never have that feeling, and experience from the first session the freedom to be 100% honest with me. I also bring to the experience of being a therapist my varied and rich life experiences: I find that many of the transitions and challenges my clients have experienced are similar to those I have experienced. Thus, the depth and level of understanding I have of clients' lives and challenges is unique. My extensive work with teenagers and young adults is bolstered by my in-depth knowledge of complex trauma and the effects of it during the formative years of life, and the challenges of navigating "adulting" and hence how to get to that place of living the full, rich, satisfying life you deserve. I will help fill your toolbox to give you the skills and knowledge to get un-stuck and help you believe you deserve a good life and can achieve that ever-evolving goal.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Everyone is looking for an easy fix, but we all know that if it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. Good therapy requires effort and hard work by both you and your therapist. But it doesn't have to go on for years and years. My perfect client is someone who is at least thinking about change; if you're not quite there yet, let's work on that together! The modalities with which I work are meant to give clients the biggest bang for their buck. I will work with you to take away the mystery of addressing your mental health needs and help you understand your agency in being able to improve your own mental health, improve your quality of life, and get you to where you want to be as the best version (always evolving!) of yourself. We will work together to address your needs and learning new skills, doing frequent check-ins and QC to ensure you are getting what you need from the experience.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Learning the power of noticing and changing our thoughts is a powerful and easily learned tool clients can use right off the bat as a reliable coping skill and can be mixed in with approaches that may take longer to learn to empower clients as soon in the therapy process as possible.
Motivational Interviewing
Clients are much more in the driver's seat than they often realize; I love using MI to help clients become more in tune with their agency in their therapy. MI is empowering as it puts clients in the driver's seat, with me as their guide. Because the approach to change is designed by the client, I find it increases the chance of sustained and meaningful health change.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
There is so much we can learn about improving our mental health by just slowing down and noticing. Being in the moment, understanding that so often our anxieties and worried are future focused, and grounding ourselves in the present can be an easy but powerful first step to improving our lives and how we feel about ourselves.
EMDR
I am about halfway through the process of becoming EMDR-certified through EMDRIA. Although not yet equipped using this modality to address the needs of clients with complex trauma, I am actively seeking clients with single event trauma or a "small t" trauma with whom I can work to support using this incredibly effective treatment as part of our treatment experience.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
What is stunning to me about solution focused therapy is that it highlights people's abilities, rather than focusing on their deficits. There is enough in life to make us feel down, and this modality helps client's focus on their agency and own ability to produce meaningful change. Many people have superhumans inside who just need to be awoken and let out; SFBT is a great way to help them understand and learn this about themselves.