25 years of experience
Hello, my name is Brenda Rice., LCSW. I started my career in mental health in 1987 working with teen moms. I completed my Master's degree in 1989 and began working with children and adolescents experiencing a variety of issues, including ADHD, behavioral problems, sexual abuse and trauma. In working with children I also found that most of the parents had issues as well which often had to be addressed. In 2007 I started working primarily with adults in clinic setting where most of my clients were dealing with anxiety, depression and past trauma. As you can see, I have had extensive experience working with individuals dealing with past trauma. I would say this is my area of expertise and an issue which has always been close to my heart since graduate school. Besides the knowledge I received at graduate school and my experience in jobs, I have also attended numerous workshops and conferences on the subject and I continue to read to learn current practices. Helping people heal from past trauma and overcome anxiety, depression, shame, guilt and low self-esteem is truly my passion and what drives me to be the best therapist I can be. From past experience I know that one of the best things to offer clients dealing with past trauma is a sense of empowerment; and from the first session I give this to my clients, letting them know that the therapy is in their control and I will not "force" them to go where they do not feel they can go.
Our first session I will gather information about what had brought you to therapy and will conduct an assessment to help us determine what you want to accomplish through therapy. This will include collecting background information on family history as well as current symptoms you are experiencing.
I truly consider it an honor and a privilege to meet and work with every individual I see. This is what some of my clients have said about me: "Brenda was great, even for the few sessions I spent with her. I deeply appreciate her quickness in understanding the roots of my problems and her ability to open my eyes to them. Without her, the baggage I carry would have continued to grow and fester. Thank you." Written on May 27, 2025 after therapy with Brenda for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and compassion fatigue "I came to Brenda during a really difficult time in my life and talking to her has helped me more than I can put into words. She provides practical tools that I’ve been able to use in my day to day life and she asks the right questions to help you dig deeper, reflect and truly grow. I always leave our sessions feeling lighter, more understood and more equipped to handle what’s ahead." Written on May 01, 2025 after therapy with Brenda for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coaching, and ADHD. I look forward to helping you and going on the journey to healing and being healthy emotionally and mentally.
My goal as a therapist is to help you heal emotionally and mentally. Coming to therapy, especially for the first time, is often scary and sometimes comes with stigma from family and/or the cultural community. I do my best to make my clients feel comfortable expressing these feelings and show them compassion and understanding. Those who come with a genuine desire to learn coping skills and change will find therapy successful and beneficial. Sometimes, especially if you have experienced trauma, therapy can be painful; however, only by going through the pain can the healing occur and I will be there to go through the pain with you.
I was taught CBT in graduate school and only fairly recently began using it when I started working strictly with adults. I utilize CBT with patients experiencing anxiety and depression to help them recognize and change anxious and negative thinking patterns.
As a Christian I will introduce prayer, scripture and other faith based reading materials in our sessions to increase your faith and coping skills.
As a graduate student I was taught about child sexual abuse and that began my interest in working with this population. I began working with children and adolescents who were sexually abused in 1989. I began attending conferences, workshops and seminars on this issue and learned how to use play therapy and other techniques to treat trauma. As a result of treating children, I began learning that on many occasions a parent was also a victim of sexual abuse; so this began my experience working with adults. Later in my career I began only working with adults and had many clients with PTSD. I have used a variety of therapeutic methods, including, but not limited to journaling, guided imagery, letter writing and other trauma informed interventions.