LMHC, 30 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in sunny Florida! I received my master’s degree from the University of South Florida and have been licensed and practicing for 30 years. I treat a wide array of areas, including anxiety, depression, substance use, parent-child relationships, self-esteem, life skills, and grief. I have worked with all ages, from 5-year-olds and beyond. I am a certified provider specializing in trauma, life skills, grief, ADHD, and dementia. I use a client-centered and collaborative approach. As we work together, you will find that a major focus is on building a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel supported and understood. I am empathetic, nonjudgmental, and a great listener. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a structured, goal-oriented therapy that encourages you to focus on current problems and find solutions, rather than dwelling on the past. This approach allows you to manage mental health conditions and emotional concerns by identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. I look forward to working together, problem-solving, and helping you feel like yourself again!
In the first session we will delve into what specifically brought you to therapy. It is important to understand your specific situation. We will navigate together to determine speed bumps you have encountered and how they fit into your landscape of life. In the first session, once there is a clearer understanding of the challenges you face, we can construct a plan to help you further figure out what changes need to be made. From there you will determine goals you will work on during the following week. The work we do together in the first week will help clarify how anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental health issues are affecting your life. You can expect to answer questions about six areas in your life. They are Relationships, Education and Career, Faith/Meaning/Expansion, Physical Health, Recreation/Relaxation, and Domestic Responsibilities. You will set small goals to help you move toward your larger overall goals. Between the first and second session you will be asked to look at your goals and carefully log the time, daily activities, and rate how much you enjoyed what you were doing at that time. You will be able to review your goal list several times the first week to see if you want to add anything in prep for the next week. Each week thereafter we will continue to work together to tweak goals as needed and learn a set of skills that will help illuminate a path toward personal growth, resilience, and emotional well-being.
As your therapist, I can build a strong therapeutic relationship with you as my client. Having the ability as your therapist to connect with clients on a personal level is crucial. This involves active listening, empathy, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel comfortable sharing thoughts and feelings. Other key strengths include problem-solving skills, clear communication, and a commitment to ongoing learning and self-awareness. This involves actively listening to your concerns and validating your experiences. In doing so, I pay close attention to both what you say verbally and nonverbally. Furthermore, understanding and sharing your personal feelings is also fundamental. Listening with an empathetic ear allows me to connect with you on a deeper level and provide more tailored support. Being able to articulate thoughts and feelings clearly, both verbally and in writing, is essential for conveying treatment recommendations and facilitating progress. During therapy, I will help you identify and address challenges, develop coping mechanisms, and work towards your goals. I have a wide array of therapeutic techniques and do not use just one approach. Being able to adjust to therapeutic approaches to meet your unique needs is important. The field of mental health is constantly evolving. Some clients may respond better to specific techniques or interventions. I stay up to date on the latest research and best practices, which are essential for providing effective and ethical care. I will successfully offer you support in identifying and building your strengths while moving the focus away from deficits. This brief solution-focused therapy will provide you with hope and self-efficacy, while highlighting your strengths and providing you with helpful resources.
If you find that you have a bad habit of avoiding uncomfortable situations, are plagued by constant worry, and cannot stop habitual self-criticism? then you are my dream client. Life is hard for all of us. Sometimes we need some time to replace thoughts and behaviors that are not working for us with new ones that work better. You need to be willing to break your habits of avoiding uncomfortable situations. Together, we will work hard to break through your barriers, allowing you to commit to utilizing your whole being to heal what's broken. As my dream client, you are someone who needs to be listened to and someone who can provide you with a safe space where you can express yourself freely and be accepted for who you are. You will learn basic skills that build upon each other week by week. You need to be willing to use the skills provided to you and not be afraid to address issues that transform your insight into change. You will utilize these skills and continue to apply them independently. You will learn these skills using Cognitive Behavior Therapy which provides skills for relief of anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is a short-term, highly effective approach. and will help you to live a better life. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves with me. I look forward to assisting you in living a better life.
Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the focus is on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT is structured and goal-oriented. I often use it with conditions like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is usually a shorter-term treatment, with sessions typically lasting 5-20 times.
When using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) the focus is on helping individuals manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal skills, and reduce self-harm behaviors. Focus of therapy is usually teaching practical skills to the client enabling a more fulfilling life by balancing acceptance of oneself and the need for change.
Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) is an action-oriented approach. Using (RET), the focus is on helping clients identify and challenge irrational beliefs that lead to emotional and behavioral disturbances. The process I use helps the client identify an event, and the beliefs associated with the event, leading to emotional consequences. Once this is done time is spent on disputing the irrational belief and identifying effective new beliefs.