LCSW, 4 years of experience
My name is John Mekhail and I am a LCSW, who has been working as a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist for the last 3 years. I find DBT therapy to be quite fascinating, and complements CBT very well, while also focusing on some key aspects not addressed in CBT. I have an extensive background in mental health, as I worked for many years in the inpatient setting prior to working as an outpatient therapist. I feel this allowed me to exposed to a variety of diagnoses, and helped to build a deeper understanding and relationship to clients with mental illness.
I always aim to make clients feel comfortable, especially in the first session, as I know seeking out therapy services can be a huge step for most people, and sometimes scary. I want to create a dynamic where clients feel safe discussing the various aspects of their life with me, while not feeling intimidated or judged.
I feel my greatest strengths are my ability to connect with clients, and create a space where they feel comfortable opening up. I like to think I'm a good listener as well as someone who is truly passionate about helping people maximize their potential.
I find I work well with clients who are motivated to change, however just might lack that confidence and understanding of how to implement those life changes effectively. I feel having worked in the inpatient setting for so many years, I've been able to develop stronger therapeutic relationships with clients, as well as develop an approach that makes people comfortable while also yielding tangible results.
In addition to being trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I am also certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I plan on utilizing the foundations of CBT to address underlying thought patterns contributing to ineffective behaviors, while also incorporating principles of DBT to highlight the connection between mind and body, and to reinforce effective behavior modification.