Finding a therapist you can identify with, feeling heard & accepted can be a challenging feat. Therapists are not one size fits all. We are people with problems, just like you. I offer you over 20 years of experience in the mental health and substance abuse treatment world. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology (2001) and a graduate degree (2006) in professional counseling. With working 10 of those years in a hospital setting, I also have a decent handle on possible medical issues you might need to be referred for. After more life experience, I became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2016 and opened my private practice. I can't tell you all the answers to life's problems, but together we can come to what the best decision will be for you in particular. Your goals and values are worth exploring. Your likes and dislikes matter. Your happiness is not selfish.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

My focus is your success in therapy. I use a technique called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapy which is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The purpose of this therapy is to accept that we have emotions in life that are up and down; no matter the emotion, we come to accept those emotions and continue to move closer to our values;those core beliefs that make us who we are. The closer we are living to our values, the more balanced we feel while living rich, full lives. CBT is an evidence-based treatment for many issues spanning from anxiety & depression to pervasive, persistent mental illness. It is also very effective in treating substance use disorders.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My biggest strength is treating anxiety, depression as well as grief and loss. I understand the darkness, angst, helplessness, hopelessness, feeling off-kilter, lack of motivation and energy, irritability and inability to feel emotions fully. I see the feeling shaky, nervous, cold sweats, exhaustion, restlessness, rapid heart rate, tight chest, aching stomach and racing thoughts. The nights of missed sleep, the gaping hole left in your life, not being able to put one foot in front of the other, loneliness, feeling blocked from moving on, exasperation, and fear.

About Denise Etherton