Hello, I'm Kim! I've wanted to be in a helping profession since I can remember; I just didn't know exactly how. I fell in love with Social Work during a global childrens’ health course in undergrad in 2005 and the rest is history. I continued studying Social Work, Psychology and Sociology and learning as much as I could inside and outside the classroom. I’ve worked in many different professional settings including child welfare, managing group homes for individuals with disabilities, early intervention assessment and skills training, care management in a domestic violence survivor program, and as a mental health technician, therapist and Assistant Clinical Director in a psychiatric hospital. My diverse professional and personal backgrounds make me a holistic provider.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My goal is to make new clients feel as comfortable as possible in our first moments together. I will briefly introduce myself and explain my approach to sessions. I will ask a few questions initially to see how the client is feeling about starting therapy in general, and then begin to cover some questions about past history. I like to begin formulating our goals in the first session and will provide the client plenty of support to start thinking about what success in therapy looks like for them. Each person is so unique and I like to focus on building an experience equally unique.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
My practice is shaped by my belief that being real is better than being perfect. I prefer informal to heavy clinical language in session, and primarily use cognitive behavioral and dilectical behavior therapy tools. My core values are integrity, courage, wisdom, serenity, service, resourcefulness, connection and family. I am proud to be on my own beautiful path applying these daily. I’ve found that when our values are blurry or out of alignment, life can seem ‘just off’. It is a great privilege to provide a space for people to identify or rediscover the parts of them that matter most.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Throughout my life I've been described as easy to talk to, and have tried to use this strength in my work to make people feel as comfortable as possible. Entering therapy, whether for the first time or beyond, can be a scary process and I want to ease any fears or hesitations you may be experiencing. I also understand that I will not be the 'right fit" for everyone, so I will help you determine what that looks like, even if I am not it.