First I want to acknowledge your effort to get help for your issues. You may be struggling with relationships, depression from a loss, anxiety about your future, memories of a terrible incident in the past, or an abusive childhood. Whatever it is that is getting in the way of your current life and your goals for the future, when you have the courage to work through these seemingly impossible challenges, you will find hope and your life will get better. I'm here to walk with you on this creative journey, your path to healing and wholeness. As an expressive arts therapist with degrees in Pastoral Counseling and Early Childhood/Special Education, I bring my experience working with children and families, counseling those with mental health challenges who combat racism and poverty, and accompanying people struggling with recovery or a trauma history. In addition to verbal therapy, I use the expressive arts and psychodrama techniques to dig more deeply into troublesome issues with an underlying strengths-based approach.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session we will get to know each other a little, gather some history and basic understanding of your issues, and agree on a focus for our work together. In the first or second session we will craft a plan and objectives to reach your primary goals for therapy.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I use the expressive arts, play therapy and sand tray therapy, especially with children. In addition, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to process trauma issues, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and mindfulness for current coping strategies, and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) for values clarification and future planning. I believe that healing happens between sessions, as you are able to enhance your learning in therapy by integrating self-care, empowering and healing practices in your daily life.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I take a wholistic approach to mental health, including physical, environmental and spiritual aspects, as well as mental and emotional. I love to integrate the expressive arts into our sessions, as you may find drawing, painting, writing a poem, or dramatizing your deeply felt experiences brings insight into the past, and clarity to the present. I am experienced in working with trauma issues and use a "trauma lens" to assess clients' needs and issues. I especially enjoy working with those who have experienced multiple life challenges, including poverty and racism, in addition to mental health issues. I believe everyone is on a spiritual journey of finding meaning and purpose in life and discovering their gifts and strengths to offer the world, and my role is to help you forward on that path.