LMHC, 7 years of experience
Hello and Welcome! My name is Mary, and I am an open and empathic therapist who provides a safe judgement free space for clients to process difficult emotions, heal their attachment and relational wounds and develop a healthy sense of self. I understand the importance of entering therapy with a counselor who offers genuine compassion and care as well as a transparent explanation of the therapeutic process. I strive to ensure clients feel understood, supported and engaged throughout their individual therapeutic journey. The pursuit of healing and inner growth is an arduous yet worthy investment, and I am honored that you’re considering me to walk alongside you as you heal and grow. Professional Experience: I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida who has provided personalized therapeutic services to a diverse population for over six years. I hold a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have provided counseling and support services to individuals, couples, families, military and first responders, youth and teens vulnerable to experiencing adverse outcomes, patients within rehabilitation and long-term facilities, and individuals recovering from substance use and abuse. I also have experience as an Adoption Specialist for adoption home study applicants. I have provided therapeutic services to clients with issues such as anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), neurodivergent, addiction, dementia, relationship and family issues, low self-esteem, issues within polyamorous relationships, infidelity, and more. I utilize therapy techniques derived from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Somatic Therapies, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Person-Centered Therapy and The Gottman Method. In my free time I enjoy engaging my dog, Angel, in canine enrichment games, thrifting, hiking and dancing to live music.
Our first session together would start by me introducing myself and welcoming you to therapy. I then give a brief overview of practice policies and the therapeutic process. I would then ask you if you had any questions or concerns about myself or the therapeutic process. I will then ask you about your therapeutic goals and mental health history. We will discuss what you found helpful or unhelpful about any mental health services received within the past. I will ask what method of learning you find best works for you. We will then dive deeper into areas of your life that influence your mental wellbeing, or we may spend time getting to know each other better depending on the comfort level of the client. I may teach a therapeutic technique or provide/recommend educational material if appropriate. Sessions are personalized to meet the comfortability and needs of the client.
I excel at building rapport with clients so that they feel comfortable being their authentic self throughout the therapeutic process. I tune into who my client is and shine a light on the parts of them that feel dark. I use measurable assessments that provide clients with greater insight into who they are while teaching them methods for healing and thriving.
Research strongly suggests that actively applying therapy skills and engaging with therapy homework outside of sessions significantly increases the likelihood of positive outcomes. My ideal client would have a growth mindset, be receptive to change, and willing to implement the strategies and techniques taught within therapy into their daily life.
Attachment assessments are given and discussed. Clients are taught to identify and change self-defeating thoughts and behaviors within relationships. Psychoeducational material and therapeutic worksheets are provided between sessions.
Therapist administers anxiety and worry inventories as needed. Therapist utilizes CBT derived open-ended questions to explore and identify cognitive distortions that influence maladaptive behavioral responses and mental health symptomology. Therapist teaches and engages client in chain analysis and ABCDE method exercises in effort to increase client's awareness of their cognitive, emotive and behavioral responses. Therapist teaches and provides psychoeducational material pertaining to brain function and physiological responses/manifestations of emotional dysregulation. Therapist teaches and engages clients in thinking errors and challenges exercises within sessions. Therapist teaches and enhances self-observation, calming techniques and emotional tolerance skills.
Therapist teaches client biosocial theory of emotional and behavioral dysregulation and engages client in a chain analysis exercise of problematic behaviors. Clients are taught emotional regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills to replace problematic behavioral responses.
Schema assessment is administered and reviewed with therapist. Client learns to recognize maladaptive schemas that negatively impact self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Clients are taught to challenge and heal maladaptive schemas and replace them with healthy adult responses.
Gottman method is used in treatment of couples counseling. Couples are given and discuss a relationship satisfaction assessment with therapist. Couples are taught the Four Pillars and the Four Horsemen of Relationships. Couples are taught and engage in communication skills exercises, relational repair and conflict resolution skills throughout sessions. Couples are taught how to build and strengthen emotional intimacy and trust through in-session exercises and take-home therapeutic worksheets.