(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello! My name is Alyssa :) I enjoy working with teens, young adult and adults in general. I enjoy building a collaborative relationship and helping you work towards your treatment goals. I consider myself a pretty laid back, funny, and open-minded person. I'm warm and empathetic, but can also be sure to hold you accountable towards progress. Before becoming a therapist I worked for 10 years with college students with learning disabilities or other academic challenges. My experience motivated me to go into counseling! I've worked with men in inpatient addiction treatment, adults in outpatient, children and families through in home services, and most recently outpatient therapy with kids and teens. I enjoy building meaningful relationships with others that are the launchpad for change.
In our first session I'll focus on getting to know you, your current symptoms, what your goals are for therapy, and what has worked or has not worked for you with previous therapists (if you've been to therapy before!). I'll help you figure out what is going on if you're feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start, and we will create a plan together to help you move forward and give you a sense of comfort and hope. We will review assessments to determine what your needs are and what therapy approach may work best. You will also have an opportunity to ask me any questions you would like of course!
I can offer you comfort and hope that things will get better. I will help you feel seen and understood. I can help you feel more in control of your life, and help you gain insight into what changes you can make to feel differently. I will "call you out" if needed, in a fun, kind, and empathetic manner. I will help you feel less alone in what you are going through.
I love working with teens and young adults experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks/panic disorder or self harm. I enjoy working with high achieving clients who can be perfectionists and put a high amount of pressure on themselves. I also enjoy helping students manage stress related to college, or are transitioning into or out of college. i enjoy helping adults going through life changes including divorce, break-ups and navigating dating. I also enjoy helping adults experiencing symptoms related to anxiety and depression, as well as supporting them as they start/stop/change medications and navigate side effects.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help you manage and change emotions through assisting you in challenging negative thoughts and altering unhelpful behaviors. I also focus on helping you build coping skills.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I find DBT strategies useful in managing intense or difficult emotions. I enjoy teaching strategies and encouraging you to practice outside of session.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
The number one predictor of change is the quality of the counseling relationship. I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can drive your own growth. I provide genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and deep empathy, often employing techniques like active listening and reflection to help you feel empowered.