Choosing therapy can be a challenging, exciting, and uncharted journey. I have been working with families and individuals over the past ten years to navigate these experiences. I started working as an in-home behaviorist, helping improve the lives of families and children impacted by autism and developmental disabilities. I then moved on to a school setting where I have been helping teachers, administrators, families, and students work with behavioral and mental health challenges. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, suicidality, autism spectrum, attention difficulties, executive functioning difficulties, gender identity, and much more. I believe that it is important to be eclectic but selective, meaning, having knowledge of many different modalities of therapy, but understanding which one would work best for each situation. I have used models like Applied Behavior Analysis, Action and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Trauma Focused Interventions, Strategic Brief Therapy and much more. The basis of therapy will be a trusting, non-judgmental relationship where you can feel comfortable expressing yourself. Seeking and maintaining balance takes resilience, skills and perseverance. My goal is to work with you by encouraging your resilience, developing your skills and partnering in the process of developing and actualizing your ideal self. You can also visit my website at https://liveoakts.com.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My goal is to accept clients for where they are and investigate and understand where they want to be. Validation is an essential part of growth and helps propel us into change and action toward our desired values. My desire is that you will feel seen, heard, and more insightful about whatever brought you to therapy. Therapy is a joint venture, I will work to empower you to pursue actionable steps towards your values and goals.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
As I stated above, I believe that it is important to be eclectic but selective, meaning, having knowledge of many different modalities of therapy, but understanding which one would work best for each situation. Treatment modalities that I have used are; Applied Behavior Analysis Action and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Humanistic or Client-Centered Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy Trauma Informed Therapy, Strategic Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have extensive knowledge and background working in the field of applied behavior analysis with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Many other therapeutic modalities share similar conceptual frameworks with applied behavior analysis such as Action and Commitment therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I have worked extensively with families with children with behavior difficulties and people with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and self-harm.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Clients who have problems parenting children with behavioral difficulties, Clients on the spectrum, clients with anxiety (generalized or specific), clients who are having depressive symptoms, clients going through transitions (grief from loosing a loved one, transition between genders, stages of life, etc.), clients who are looking for an opportunity to be reflective about who they are and where they are in life.