LCSW, 12 years of experience
My name is Chiquita Tuner, & I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience. I hold a Bachelors from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Social Work from Georgia State University. My areas of expertise include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and more. In therapy, we will work together as a team to get you to a place where you can make strides towards your goals and be able to thrive on your own. You are the conductor of your life, and we will take one step at a time until we ultimately reach your comfortable place. Feel free to reach out to me to discuss your treatment options.
In our first session together, you can expect a safe, nonjudgmental space where the focus is on building trust and helping you feel heard. I’ll start by building rapport and getting to know you—what brought you to therapy, what you're hoping to work on, and what’s been feeling heavy or challenging lately (and we may have some things in common as well). I’ll also ask some questions about your background, emotional history, and current support system to help me understand the bigger picture.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to build authentic, nonjudgmental relationships with clients. I tell it like it is while creating a safe space where people feel seen, heard, and respected—especially those who have experienced shame, trauma, or marginalization. I meet clients where they are, balancing empathy with clinical insight, which allows me to support growth without pushing too fast or minimizing their pain. I focus not just on symptom relief, but on deeper self-understanding and long-term resilience.
My ideal client is someone who open to self-exploration and shows up consistently! They’re open to gentle challenges, insights, and new coping strategies while understanding that therapy is a process. There is no quick fix - so clients much be patient with themselves as they grow.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a structured, goal-oriented approach to help clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that affect their everyday lives. I begin by collaboratively developing a case formulation with the client, focusing on the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
I use psychoeducation as an essential part of the therapeutic process to help clients better understand their symptoms, diagnoses, and emotional experiences. It’s a way to reduce fear, build insight, and empower clients to take an active role in their healing. Depending on the client’s needs and developmental level, I provide clear information about how their brain and body respond to stress, trauma, mood disorders, or other mental health conditions.
We will work to identify core beliefs and automatic thoughts that may be contributing to emotional distress or behavioral patterns while identifying your strengths during treatment. I use techniques such as thought records, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral experiments to challenge distorted thinking. I also integrate behavioral activation, exposure work, or skills training depending on the client's presenting issues—whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or other concerns.
I use supportive therapy as a foundational approach to help clients feel emotionally safe, validated, and strengthened, particularly during times of stress, instability, or when deeper therapeutic work may not yet be appropriate. Supportive therapy focuses on reinforcing a client's existing strengths, enhancing coping mechanisms, and fostering resilience without directly challenging defenses too early.
1 rating with written reviews
August 15, 2025
Chiquita opened the floor and allowed me to put trust in her immediately. She was warm, authentic, and extremely kind. I look forward to many sessions with Chiquita!