My Approach to Helping
I’ve worked in university and community counseling clinics for 17 years and, now, in private practice for over 3 years. I currently see clients who've been feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, or traumatized.
Have you been feeling overwhelmed, worried, nervous, afraid, panicked, sad, run-down, blah, numb, or disconnected. Are you not eating, sleeping, or focusing very well or getting what you need or want done. These experiences can really take a toll. Maybe they've gotten in the way of your work, relationships, social life, self-care, or even your physical health.
If so, please know that you're not alone. These struggles are all too common and "real." But also please know that there is help! Allow me to share with you what next steps on your path with me would look like.
I offer a secure, encrypted, confidential virtual space for your safety, comfort, and peace of mind. My style is engaging and full of empathy. I'm genuine, supportive, collaborative, empowering, and active.
I specialize in solution-focused, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally-sensitive therapy. This approach helps you feel hopeful and energized from the very beginning of our work, immediately driving progress toward your goals. Together, we'll tailor therapy to personalize sessions that best meet your unique needs and hopes for therapy.
If you’re ready to face, cope with, and overcome your challenges and want to be an active part of it, let's gets started!
My Role as a Therapist
I see my role as a collaborative one. You are the expert in your own life, I bring knowledge and experience, and we work as a team. That means that together we?ll personalize treatment to meet your unique needs and achieve your specific goals.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
This is a good question, and a big one! In a nutshell, here are some questions you might ask yourself or a therapist. Do I feel comfortable with them (and that can begin with your gut feeling on reading their profile or chatting with them in your initial consultation)? Who does the therapist treat (eg., children, adolescence, adults)? Do they treat the issue that I am experiencing, and do I want someone who specializes in that area? Do they speak my preferred language? Do they have identities that align with me and would help with connecting? Does their approach to therapy align with what I think is going to help me? How often would we meet? How long do you expect therapy to last? How is success measured? Are you available at [days, times]? These questions are likely to open conversation for more questions and information. I would suggest you ask all the questions you would like in your search. An open, compassionate, and effective therapist will appreciate them!
How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist
My personal challenges with disability and trauma have given me a perspective and a depth of empathy that otherwise I don?t believe I would have. I?ve always been very empathetic by nature. And, it?s unrealistic for me to have experienced everything my clients have experienced. AND, even if have experienced something similar to you, I can never and should never presume to know exactly how you feel. To do so would be very disrespectful and invalidating to you! Yet having gone through my own struggles and been in therapy myself, I have an invaluable understanding of what it is like to be a client, in a great deal of pain and feeling very vulnerable. This allows me to help build an even stronger connection and to be an even more effective therapist.
Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance
Much research and experience shows that the rapport between client and therapist can be as important if not more important than any particular therapy approach. It is critical that you feel connected to your therapist for therapy to be most helpful! That connection can be simply boiled down to chemistry between people. If you don?t feel comfortable with the therapist initially, that?s OK, but that is a sign to continue your search for therapist you do feel comfortable with.
What Makes up a Problem?
A problem is something that negatively affects your functioning (eg., work, school, relationships, self-care) or makes you unhappy or less content than you could be. People have similar and different problems, but please know, if it?s a problem for YOU, then it?s a problem. YOU define what is a problem for you.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.