New to Grow
I have over a decade of experience working with people as they navigate life transitions. I understand struggling and feeling overwhelmed, and believe that adding support and guidance can help alleviate life's stressors. I've worked multiple years as a therapist in a community mental health center, a partial hospitalization program, and a nursing home. I try to understand where you are starting and where you are trying to go. I believe that there is value in humor, storytelling, and understanding different perspectives.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
I want to see how well we connect. People who like their therapist get the best clinical results most quickly, so I want to make sure that I'm respecting your time and efforts. If we don't get along in a short meeting, the odds are that magic won't occur two months down the line. This is an opportunity for you to interview me and make sure that I make sense for you. Additionally, in the first "clinical" session, I'm going to need to do a lot of the paperwork side of my job, collecting information about you, your background, family, routines, supports, etc. I want to know what's making your life feel unstable and what adds stability. I will also be asking about your goals for treatment, what you'd like to look or feel different in your life, and how close or far those goals feel.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I believe in using our strengths to overcome problems caused by our shortcomings. I'm aware that I'm not going to be right 100% of the time, and value your feedback when you feel I'm missing the mark or misunderstanding something. I will care about you and be willing to challenge you if I think you're missing something.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with adults who are interested in making or adapting to life changes to feel differently about themselves and the environments around them. Nobody starts seeing a therapist on the best day of their life. People feeling overwhelmed by life transitions can feel that their problems are more manageable with appropriate support and empathy. This isn't about "moving past" the problems, it is about changing our understanding and explanation of the problems and our reactions to them.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have a professional CBT certification. I use CBT to help clients understand that thoughts and behaviors contribute to emotional outcomes and can be altered to achieve more desired results.
Motivational Interviewing
I have attended numerous MI trainings and use MI to help clients identify and work through ambivalence and move toward their goals.
Narrative
The story we tell ourselves about what's happened to us changes how we feel about the events. Learning to evaluate the past with a combination of honesty, empathy, and humor can make overwhelming experiences feel more manageable.