Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Child Development Specialist with 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing a variety of concerns, including but not limited to struggling with emotional regulation, the management of symptoms of depression or anxiety, Autism and ADHD. I utilize a collaborative approach in therapy, striving to create a safe and supportive environment for my clients and their families where concerns can be explored, individual strengths can be recognized and personal growth can occur. I believe that change occurs with the support of family and significant others, and encourage participation in the therapy process when possible. I received my Master of Arts in Counseling and Child Development with a specialization in Early Intervention from DePaul University. Throughout my career, my training and work experiences have encompassed a variety of settings including hospital, community mental health, and intensive outpatient settings. Most recently, I have worked in private practice providing therapy, in addition to training graduate level interns and providing clinical supervision to pre-licensed counselors.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, we will focus on building rapport, in addition to gathering historical information that will help me to get to know you better. I want to create a safe, collaborative, non-judgmental space where we can explore why you have chosen to engage in therapy, and from that we will begin to develop a plan working towards the positive changes you are seeking.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I approach each individual as a unique entity and utilize a variety of treatment modalities to meet their needs and reach identified goals. I view treatment as a collaborative journey, building on individual strengths, and working toward developing more productive coping strategies, better communication skills, and building a stronger sense of resilience. I also believe that creative expression is inherent to an individual's growth, development and healing process, and incorporate expressive arts to promote healing and well-being.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Though I have years of training and experience working with a variety of diagnoses, I have found that the majority of individuals whom I most often see in therapy have diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety and Depression .