Hi Folx, my name is Daja and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 8 years in clinical practice. I began my career providing family therapy to children, adolescents and families in rural NC communities. From there, I transitioned to a large multi-state psychiatric and behavioral health outpatient practice where I served as both a psychotherapist and Regional Director for three years. After transitioning from that role, I worked in clinical care management with a large coporate insurance company, serving with complex clinical care needs. As a therapist, I’ve focused my work on supporting folks better manage mental health conditions, cultivate greater joy in their lives and improve their relationships. I sincerely enjoy learning folks’ stories and assisting them as they navigate new and old life challenges/transitions.
During our first session, clients can expect us to initially build our therapeutic relationship by sharing information about their treatment goals. Clients can also plan to discuss relevant information about their history and current circumstances as for me to better understand them. Additionally, clients can ask me questions to learn about my clinical expertise and approach to therapy. Lastly, we will explore options regarding treatment plan (frequency/structure of sessions, scheduling, initial goals, etc.)
Having worked in several different capacities in clinical work, I’ve developed a knack for asking the “right” questions in an accessible, nonjudgmental way that cultivates safety and helps folks align with their motivations for seeking support.
I love working with clients who are part of intersectional communities who maybe struggling to understand their identities. Clients who are motivated to seek care and open to new perspectives and trying new approaches.
I invite and support clients to probe deeper into themselves, their thinking and experiences. Additionally, I challenge clients to determine if their cognitive schemas are aligned with their personal values and ethics. We work together to explore strategies for greater alignment, healing and/or reconstruction.
I tell folks often you cannot tame anything you cannot name so with this method, we search to identify, assess and change cognitive-behavioral connections that contribute to or exacerbate one’s issues or challenges.
Often times, clients seek treatment to process a specific trauma or traumatic experience, unaware of the everyday multi-facted impacts of their lived traumas. I truly believe one of my responsibilities as a therapist is to make folks safe enough to explore those connections. I’m here to honor and hold space for people who desire taking this type of step towards healing and reconciliation.
I believe we are the authors of our lives and can ascribe whatever values and meanings we choose. As such, guiding folks to engage with, unlearn and redesign the narratives they tell themselves about their identities, relationships, etc. is one of my greatest joys in this work.