I am a second career social worker, who graduated with my MSW in 2014 and my Ph.D. in 2019, both from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work. I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but have lived in the Houston area for 30+ years. I decided to become a social worker because of my personal experiences raising a child with behavioral health issues and experiencing profound loss following the sudden death of my husband. My goals were to help others the way my own family had been helped, but I also hoped to improve the experiences of others with similar lived experiences but less positive outcomes. I have worked in a variety of settings, including West Oaks Hospital (a specialty psychiatric hospital) and its affiliated outpatient settings, where I provided individual, group, and family therapy to adults and adolescents experiencing significant mental health crises. I have also worked in home hospice care, assisting individuals and families with both pre-bereavement and post-bereavement support, and where I facilitated online support groups for caregivers and for individuals experiencing grief and bereavement. In addition to my private practice, I am an adjunct professor at the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, and I frequently consult with immigration lawyers about the ways in which mental health issues may impact the path to asylum or citizenship. Although I do not consider myself to be a trauma specialist, I do practice with a trauma-informed style and am always conscious of the ways in which trauma impacts the lives and experiences of individuals in all walks of life. I have experience working with people who live with ADHD, anxiety, autism, depression, and mood disorders generally. My goal is always to support my clients in achieving their own goals for a happier and healthier life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we will spend some time getting to know each other, and I may have you complete several short screening assessment documents. I find it helpful to use these assessment documents to identify the specific issues that are bothering you when we start working together, and we will use them again after working together for several weeks to measure your progress. During our first session, I will also ask you to share with me any specific concerns you have as well as your goals for the future. We will generally wrap up our first session with my assigning “homework” for you to complete prior to our next session. Typically, homework involves practicing skills you have learned during a specific session, or taking concrete steps toward a specific goal you have identified.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
For most people seeking therapy, the first thing they expect is someone who is a good listener, and that is something I do well. I am also a big fan of what is sometimes called psycho-education, in which I help clients to better understand how and why they are experiencing the challenges they are currently facing, and learn techniques to manage and improve those experiences. I approach all clients without judgment and from a strengths-based perspective. This means that my practice is a safe and welcoming space, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, or immigration status. Using a strengths-based perspective means that we focus on what is going well, rather than obsessing about what is not, and working from strength to strength to help you achieve your personal g