I have worked with patients for about 18 years in various roles: DCF Child Investigations, Foster Care Placement of Children, and now as a Trauma Informed Social Worker. I am certified and trained as an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Clinician, Foster and Adoption Competent, and trained in Couples Counseling using Prepare/Enrich Model.
In our first session, I will get to know you and your needs better to help me formulate a treatment plan that we will work through together.
Having worked as a therapist for over 10 years, my greatest strength as a provider are Empathy and Compassion: The ability to understand and share the feelings of your clients, creating a compassionate and supportive therapeutic environment. Active Listening: A strong skill in actively listening to your clients, understanding their concerns, and providing meaningful responses. Cultural Competence: Sensitivity and awareness of cultural diversity, allowing you to tailor your approach to the unique needs of individuals from various backgrounds. Flexibility: Adaptability to different therapeutic modalities, approaches, and changing client needs. Strong Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication with clients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals, fostering collaboration and understanding. Clinical Expertise: In-depth knowledge and expertise in your field, staying updated on the latest research and best practices. Resilience: The ability to handle the emotional challenges that can arise in healthcare, maintaining professionalism and providing consistent support to clients. Creativity and Innovation: Willingness to explore creative and innovative approaches to problem-solving and therapeutic interventions. Boundary Setting: The ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients, ensuring a professional and ethical therapeutic relationship. Self-Reflection: A commitment to ongoing self-reflection and personal development, promoting continuous improvement in your practice. Collaborative Approach: A collaborative and team-oriented mindset, working effectively with other healthcare providers and support staff. Advocacy: An advocate for your clients, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support both within and outside the therapeutic setting. Holistic Perspective: Recognition of the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, and physical well-being, taking a holistic approach to client care.
I Begin by collaboratively identifying your specific concerns, symptoms, and goals. I Use assessment tools, interviews, and self-report measures to understand your cognitive and behavioral patterns. I Educate you about the fundamental principles of CBT, emphasizing the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I Help you to understand how automatic thoughts and core beliefs can influence emotions and actions. I Work with you to identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to distress. I Explore cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, and personalization. Behavioral Activation: Collaboratively develop and implement behavioral activation plans to encourage the client to engage in pleasurable and meaningful activities. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to promote a sense of accomplishment. I Assign homework exercises between sessions, such as thought records or behavioral experiments, to reinforce and generalize skills learned in therapy. I Encourage you to apply CBT principles to real-life situations. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: I Integrate mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help you manage stress and stay present in the moment. I Teach skills like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery. I Guide you through the process of challenging and restructuring maladaptive thoughts. I Encourage the identification of evidence supporting and contradicting negative thoughts. I Develop problem-solving skills to empower clients in addressing life challenges and overcoming obstacles. I Focus on practical solutions and encourage a systematic approach to problem-solving. I Utilize graded exposure techniques to address specific fears or anxieties. I Gradually expose you as my client to feared situations while teaching them coping strategies to manage distress. I Provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement to acknowledge progress and effort. I love to Celebrate achievements, no matter how small, to boost motivation and self-esteem. I Collaboratively develop relapse prevention plans to help you as my client recognize early signs of distress and implement coping strategies independently. I discuss strategies for maintaining progress and addressing setbacks. Cultural Sensitivity: I am culturally sensitive in applying CBT techniques, considering you, as the client's cultural background and values. I Adapt interventions to align with your unique cultural context.
Ongoing Monitoring: Regularly assess the impact of EMDR on your overall mental health and well-being. Make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed based on your progress and evolving therapeutic goals.