LPC, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor experienced in working with adolescents and adults. My background in mental health Service Coordination has provided me with a strong knowledge of system services, allowing me to assist individuals in accessing additional supports which might benefit them. This background has also provided me with a strong sense of social justice, which drives me to help those I serve to become great self advocates. I utilizes approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, along with elements of mindfulness and Existential Therapy.
Our first session is focused on identifying the issues that brought you to therapy. We use these issues to develop treatment goals, which we'll utilize to help drive future sessions centered on what you find important to address. This first session will be structured a little differently than subsequent sessions, as it will be primarily about determining needs and gathering helpful information in relevant life domains.
I believe that people often already have the answers to help themselves through life's problems, and the interventions I use act as a guide to finding one's potential. I empower my clients by helping them to decrease their anxieties and improve their confidence. My approach incorporates modalities that borrow from some of the best principles of both Eastern and Western philosophy, which I find useful in addressing the contradictions and absurdities of life, as meaning making can be both profound and practical.
I have experience serving clients with concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, LGBTQ issues, low motivation, self-esteem, independence, and grief.
CBT is a great way to gain insight into our thoughts and emotions. It helps us to be able to recognize how our distorted thoughts impact our behaviors, and allows us to reshape how we react to adversity. I have been utilizing CBT for several years, utilizing exercises in session, which clients can then practice in daily life.
DBT is a great adjunct to CBT, as it applies the same principles of the cognitive-behavioral approach, and scaffolds those with skills for emotional distress tolerance and self-regulation. Through the use of exercises focused on skill building and mindfulness, I work with clients to identify the tools they can use to manage distressing situations.