My practice utilizes an evidence-based approach. This involves encouraging you to become more aware of your strengths and identifying patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior. We will learn what the forces are controlling your life and practice new strategies to create the kind of changes you desire. Treatment is individualized based on your goals and needs. Common goals for individual therapy include:
- Improving/controlling emotional state and alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Improved coping with life stressors and challenges
- Improved relationships and communication skills
- Healing from emotional abuse, trauma or loss
- Improving ability to take more action
- Improved management and reduction of anger and aggression
- Improving problem solving and behavioral responses to difficult situations
- Transforming unproductive/unhealthy patterns into healthier life choices
- Substance abuse recovery
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my primary focus and expertise is teen therapy. The teenagers and troubled youth I work with are full of potential, but are now struggling with mental health and behavioral issues that may include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Suicidal ideation
- Substance abuse or experimentation
- Anger, aggression, violence
- Criminal activity
- Family and relationship conflict
- School and social related concerns
- Academic difficulties
- Defiance at home or school
- Internet and gaming addiction
- Stress or burn out
- Low self-esteem/self-worth or self-respect
- Personality disorders
- Lack of motivation
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Trauma from various life transitions, abuse or neglect
Parent counseling is a service I provide for parents who are struggling with managing their teens while addressing their own stressors or mental health needs. Parents of troubled teens and youth often experience a loss of hope as their child continues to withdraw from the relationship. Parent counseling includes identifying what is working and why, how stress and/or mental health challenges are impacting your relationship with your children, as well as learning and practicing new intervention strategies. At the appropriate time, treatment may include family therapy to begin the process of learning healthier interactions among family members. Parents who seek parent counseling may be struggling with:
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Exhaustion
- Worry and stress
- Depression and anxiety
- Fear of the unknown
- Experiencing panic attacks
- Transitioning from divorce
- Experiencing financial or legal challenges
- Recovery from verbal and emotional abuse or trauma
- Recovery from substance abuse
Some common goals with parent counseling include conflict management and resolution, reduced negative talk, improved sense of peace and harmony within the household, restored relationships with family members, improved self-esteem, and improved knowledge and skills for maintaining emotional and mental wellness.
My style is person-centered and strength-based. I use an Eclectic approach consisting of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. I use elements of psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), supportive therapy, and solutions focused therapy. I provide psychoeducation, behavioral activation and relaxation/mindfulness strategies as appropriate. I start by connecting with you in a genuine, relatable, common sense way, using creative interventions. Therapy can be structured or more flexible, depending on the need. I provide psychoeducation, and utilize your strengths, providing techniques to overcome existing conflicts. My goal is not to diagnose you, but to improve the quality and fulfillment of your life and relationships, so you can thrive independently without therapy.