Brittany Shick
Hi, I'm Brittany, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. You may look like you have it all together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally exhausted on the inside. Perhaps you're constantly overthinking, struggling with anxiety or panic, navigating the effects of past trauma, or simply feeling stuck in a season of life that has become difficult to manage. I work with adults and teens experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, relationship challenges, and other concerns that can make it difficult to feel like yourself. I have a particular interest in supporting high-functioning and highly sensitive individuals who may be used to being the strong one, putting others first, or holding everything together while struggling internally. My goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, respected, and accepted. Whether you're looking for support through a difficult season, healing from past experiences, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, you don't have to navigate it alone. I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds, identities, cultures, family structures, and life experiences. You don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out—we can start exactly where you are.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what brings you to therapy. We'll talk about what you've been experiencing, what has been difficult, and what you hope will be different as a result of therapy. I'll also want to learn about you beyond the immediate concern—your strengths, relationships, experiences, values, coping strategies, and the things that are important to you. Understanding the bigger picture helps me provide therapy that is individualized rather than one-size-fits-all. You don't need to know exactly what you need from therapy or have the “right” words to describe what you're experiencing. We'll figure that out together. From there, we'll work collaboratively to establish goals and determine an approach that feels appropriate for you.
Strengths
I believe therapy works best when you feel safe enough to be honest and supported enough to grow. I bring warmth, authenticity, cultural humility, and curiosity into my work while recognizing that every person brings a unique combination of experiences, identities, relationships, and strengths into therapy. My approach is collaborative and individualized, and trauma informed. We will work together to understand what's happening, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop strategies that fit your life. Throughout the process you can expect to be both supported and gently challenged in therapy. Sometimes that means creating space to process and be heard; other times it means looking at a pattern differently or taking a step outside of your comfort zone. As a biracial woman, mother, wife, and therapist, I understand that life can look very different on the inside than it does from the outside. I strive to create a therapeutic space where you can bring your whole self, feel respected and understood, and work toward becoming more grounded, confident, and connected to the life you want.
Ideal clients
You may be the person others rely on—the responsible one, the strong one, or the one who keeps showing up even when you're struggling inside. You may appear to have everything together while privately feeling anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from yourself. Perhaps you're constantly overthinking, struggling with panic attacks, carrying the effects of past trauma, experiencing depression, having difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling like you've lost your sense of direction. Maybe you've spent so much time taking care of everyone else that you've lost touch with your own needs. I especially enjoy working with high-functioning and highly sensitive individuals who often carry a lot internally while appearing capable and composed externally. I also work with people navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, self-esteem concerns, and periods when their usual coping strategies no longer seem to be working. You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Sometimes therapy is about healing from the past; sometimes it's about understanding yourself more deeply, changing patterns, strengthening your relationships, or learning how to experience life with greater ease. Wherever you are in your journey, my goal is to meet you there—with compassion, curiosity, and without judgment.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
I believe that therapy should not only focus on what feels difficult or what needs to change, but also on the strengths, resilience, and abilities you already possess. A strengths-based approach means helping you recognize the qualities and experiences that have helped you navigate life—even during difficult or painful seasons. Together, we’ll explore your existing strengths, values, coping skills, relationships, and sources of resilience and consider how you can build upon them. Rather than defining you by your struggles, I want to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and recognize that you already have many of the tools needed to create meaningful change.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
When working with clients who have experienced trauma, I may incorporate Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, an evidence-based approach designed to help reduce the distress and avoidance that can develop after traumatic experiences. I approach this work collaboratively and at a pace that feels appropriate for you. You will never be forced to share or confront something before you are ready. Together, we’ll build the skills and sense of safety needed to approach difficult experiences while developing a greater sense of confidence and control.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I may incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you better understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. When we're experiencing anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed, it can be easy to fall into patterns of thinking that increase distress or make it harder to move forward. I use CBT within a person-centered and trauma-informed framework that leads to change that feels realistic, sustainable, and true to who you are.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I may incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to help you better understand the different thoughts, emotions, and internal experiences that can influence how you respond to yourself and the world around you. IFS recognizes that we all have different “parts” of ourselves that may develop in response to our experiences and may serve different purposes. IFS can help us to explore your inner world at your pace. The goal is greater self-understanding, self-compassion, emotional flexibility, and the ability to respond to life's challenges with more choice and confidence.
Location
Virtual sessions