My name is Mary Vaughan and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for the state of Florida. I have been in the mental health business for 35+ years. I love my work and that is the reason have stayed in it as long as I have. I am a military brat and I have moved around in Europe and many states. Before I begin to work with a client, I tell them some of my background. It is my opinion the client should know something about his/her counselor before we begin our work. I have had very successful results working with people who suffer from some kind of abuse ( either in childhood or as a young adult.) If abuse has occurred at most any age, the individual may come to me and tell me that they are experincing stress, depression, anxiety and/or panic attacks. Before beginning counseling, I inform the client that we will have a questioning and answer process. This allows the client and me to get to know each other a little better. Based on the information I gather about my client, we discuss what the client wants from their sessions. The individual and I work together as a team. In this process, the client gains a sense of self-esteem and a sense of control over their lives going forward in the future. Finding the right "fit" of counselor and client is key to a successful experience for the client. After the counselor gives the client some unique coping skills, the counselor asks the client if these skills might work for them. These coping skills are "Fluid" and can be modified and changed as we proceed in the counseling process.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I try very hard to welcome my clients so that they feel comfortable with me and the counseling situation.I inform them that this counseling is a partnership of myself and the client. I ask them to tell me what they want to focus on in their counseling. I also inform them that there will be times that they may feel uncomfortable as we go into their memories and their hurts. There is HOPE. However, at those times I will stop if they ask me to. This can be a slow process and cannot be hurried. Their situation did not happen overnight and they cannot heal overnight. All along I offer them HOPE.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My strengths lay in the treatment of mood disorders (bipolar and major depression). I also work well with abuse issues and PTSD. I offer them a chance to find their self esteem. So many people who have been abused have very little sef esteem. They have suffered so much abuse that their is little self confidence and/self esteem This is probably my greatest interest . I want to lift a client up and help them find their self esteem
About Mary Elizabeth Vaughan
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Address
255 Simpson Road, Monticello, FL 32344Appointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
I listen to what my client is saying and I am naturally empathic in my deposition. Listening to what my clients have to say is crucial. This is when the therapy begins. Therapy can help a client reach a fresh change in their approach to their life. I help the client reframe the issue into a situation in which they look at the problem in a more positive way. One in which they can learn to change their outlook on their problems and begin the process their situations that have caused them the pain they are in. There is a whole new world out there ( and thinking) that the therapist can guide the client to look at things differently lives. I teach this and we work together as a team. Most all of us want control of our lives. Description: I’ve been using hCBT in my practice for the past twenty five years. It’s helped many of my clients challenge negative reoccurring thoughts and manage their anxiety. As we go along in our therapeutic process we can recognize how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. In the therapeutic process I help guide my clients change their thinking patterns, which will help them lead a less anxious and stress free life. It is possible.
Compassion Focused
When counseling with a client I am always compassionate and try to understand how a client feels. A client will not come to therapy unless they are emotionally wounded or have a past that causes them pain. When I hear their story I carefully listen to what they say as well as what is not said. Many times a client may be unaware of their deepest hurt. Together we work as a team to understand how and when the feelings of hurt began. I always offer them hope in their distress by turning their negative to positive thinking .In addition, I offer them the thought to imagine what their feelings would be like if they were free of the negative thinking. This is a big step that many have not thought about. I suggest to them to write this part down and we will go over it in therapy.