A little about me:
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
I work with people who have addiction issues, depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, situational and complex trauma as well as eating disorders. I work with kids (age 9+) and their families, teens, transitional age youth, and adults.
I am trained in Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders, the therapeutic process of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
I have worked in different areas of the mental health field which contributes to my experiences: in the foster care system, at non-profit organizations, as a mental health caseworker, and as a therapist.
My approach: To me, therapy is like putting a jig-saw puzzle together. Beginning therapy is when all the pieces are dumped out. Together, we flip over the pieces and see what is there – we look at your strengths and the things you have already overcome, as well as what needs to change. We look at your specific goals.
At times, behaviors/reactions remain stuck. Anxieties, depression, and feelings of worry/sadness won’t dislodge. It feels like you keep circling back to the same issues. This happens when difficult and disorienting experiences generate beliefs or reactions which, at one time, were adaptive. But they are not really helping anymore. In therapy, first we work to figure out where these thoughts and beliefs are anchored and work to disconnect the maladaptive ones, the ones that keep you stuck.
We work as a team to fit all the pieces together. It may take learning new skills, difusing from unhealthy beliefs, adjusting perspectives.
Finding a good fit: I am a big believer that finding a therapist who is a good fit helps makes therapy successful. Prior to making an appointment, you will schedule a complimentary introductory phone conversation. Typically, the call lasts 15-30 minutes. Many clients appreciate the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about me and decide if I am the right therapist for them. After that if you want to proceed, we can set up your initial assessment appointment.
You can contact me at [email protected] or by calling (573) 446-5034
