New to Grow
I'm proud of you for seeking support and grateful you're considering working with me. I specialize in helping individuals and families from diverse backgrounds identify ways to improve themselves, their relationships, and their overall experience of life. I look forward to hearing from you so we can start collaborating for your greatness. Our work together is collaborative. We'll identify measurable goals for our time together. As we work, your goals may shift to include new aspects of your life, which is natural and encouraged. I want to ensure your goals remain meaningful and relevant for you.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The first session is a conversation. We'll discuss your stressors, what you want to gain from therapy, and create a plan for moving forward together. I assume you're seeking services because something is bothering you that you want to change.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I began in social services, working with foster families and intensive youth cases. After teaching middle school, I returned to social work, specializing in families with intensive needs and marginalized communities. I pursued counseling to gain deeper understanding of how to support people. This experience has allowed me to develop a unique understanding of individuals and the systems that they interact with that not many clinicians have. I believe clear communication from a supportive place is key to successful collaboration. You are the expert on your life experience, and through questions, I learn about you from you. Though our work will be challenging, I offer grace and a space that allows for vulnerability.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is the client that notices that they would like things to be better and want to change, even if they are not sure of exactly how or what will be the change.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I believe that most clients seek support when they begin looking for a therapist. They are often overwhelmed by their feelings and life experiences. Solution Focused Therapy allows me to collaborate with my clients to focus on creating the future that they desire for themselves. It allows us both to focus on my client's strengths and resources (external and internal) that will support movement towards their goals.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured, 12-session, evidence-based treatment for trauma/PTSD that I use to help my client's in identifying, challenging, and modifying "stuck points", which are unhelpful and distorted beliefs, that stem from the client's trauma. When using this approach, the client and I will focus on how their thoughts affect emotions, especially those related to self-blame, safety, trust and control, to create a more balanced, adaptive perspective.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing uses a person-centered, collaborative approach to resolve any ambivalence the client is experiencing and strengthen a client's motivation for change. Due to the nature of Motivational Interviewing techniques, which include open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries, I tend to incorporate this technique within other therapeutic approaches to evoke "change talk" while also empowering clients to identify their own goals and reasons for change.