Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. I received my Masters from Rosemont College and have practiced for 19 years. I'm passionate about working with people who have struggled with substance use as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community. I am well versed in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar and personality disorders.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions so we can get to know each other a bit. We will discuss the reasons and events that led up to you deciding to enroll in therapy and any specific challenges you're having. I will also collect pertinent background information as well. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have worked in addiction treatment for almost 20 years and as a result have worked with people from all walks of life. My empathy and relatability combined with extensive experience (men, women, families, chronically homeless, addiction & co-occurring mental health disorders, child welfare and criminal justice) are my greatest strengths as a therapist.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love working with people who are eager to grow or are feeling stuck, but don't yet have the tools needed to work through it on their own. They often feel complacent, overwhelmed and anxious about their lives. Understanding that therapy is very different from advice giving is important. Having sufficient motivation to practice the skills explored in session even on the days we do not have session is a critical key to success.
About Lia Bigelow
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Psychodynamic
This approach focuses on changing your thinking. In the process we will explore how childhood development impacts how we think and process information.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Since our thoughts influence how we feel and our feelings influence our behaviors, if we want to change our behavior or our feelings, we first have to change how we think. With practice, this can be used to develop highly effective coping skills.
Gender-affirming therapy
I have over 20 years of experience working with the LGBTQ+ community. This includes, but is not limited to counseling services in preparation for undergoing gender affirming medical care.
Couples Counseling
I have 8 years of experience providing both couples and family counseling.
Trauma Informed Care
All services provided are trauma informed. This means that special attention is paid to developing a strong therapeutic relationship that honors your autonomy and self-determination.