I am a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health in Delaware and a Licensed Clinical Mental Heath Counselor in North Carolina. I earned a master's degree in clinical psychology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1995. I have extensive experience working with individuals, couples (in Delaware) and adolescents from all walks of life. Working in out patient settings, school wellness centers, community mental health centers and prisons has afforded me the opportunity to meet and work with people from diverse backgrounds facing a wide range of challenges.
During our first session, I will explain my approach to therapy, review your intake paperwork and listen to your current concerns and goals for therapy.
Many clients have shared with me that I have successfully made the therapeutic experience less stressful for them. I have been able to put them at ease and feel safe and understood. My clients feel accepted and not judged for who they are, what they have or have not done or the emotional state they are in when they start therapy.
As a CBT therapist, I help clients discover how their thoughts, behaviors and emotions influence each other and subsequently, impact their mood and level of anxiety. I help clients identify specific thoughts that contribute to their current distress. Together, we will discuss how challenging those thoughts and replacing them with other thoughts will positively impact your mood and decrease anxiety.
As a trained EFT couples' therapist, I help clients identify attachment wounds that have occurred within the relationship. I help clients recognize their emotions and emotional reactions to each other; I teach them their specific "relationship dance" and how it contributes to their discord. Creating a safe place for couples to explore and share their emotions can lead to a better understanding of each other as well as develop empathy and a stronger emotional connection.
I am trained in and practice Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples.
Although I primarily use CBT, I approach therapy from a wholistic perspective; I will include other modalities and disciplines as appropriate for the client's needs.