In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
I have a very laid back, easy going personality with a sense of humor naturally. I have been told that I am very professional but also know when to insert humor in a professional manner to ease situations or conversations. Also, with my laid back personality I take feedback and understand to meet my clients where they are at and listen to feedback from them when they may not like what techniques I am utilizing. I do not take things personally and I am willing to listen.
Were there lessons in your professional or academic career that left an impression on you, and how has that informed your work today?
My work in corrections will forever leave a lasting impression on my professional career and my work moving forward. I have learned to be patient, show respect (which should be a given but I have seen it not shown all the time), listen to everyone no matter the opinion, and truly meeting my clients where they are at. I have learned that I cannot force anyone to do anything and I am here to help my clients in their own uniques paths get to where they want to be. These paths all look different and I am here to listen and learn how to navigate them.
What do you think is the biggest barrier today for people seeking care?
I feel the biggest barrier today for people seeking care is finding a therapist that they truly enjoy working with. Just as every person has their own personalities, that also goes with therapist. Every therapist is a person with a personality and their own approaches.
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Addiction
Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.
Bipolar disorder
Characterized by alternating symptoms of depression and mania. During more extreme episodes, depression may lead to the point of suicidal ideation and attempts while extreme bouts of mania are marked by impulsive behavior, lack of sleep, elevated esteem, and even psychosis.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
General Expertise
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
Academic challenges
Concerns that impact school performance or academic life. Can include perfectionism, bullying, financial stress, academic transitions, test anxiety, balancing school with other responsibilities, discrimination, or harassment.
Fees
$100
First Session
$90
Family Therapy
$85
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Children (5-12)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
TF-CBT
CBT
Seeking Safety
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness
Licensure
IL, LCSW, 149.021819
Education
Master of Social Worker, Aurora University
Work History
Hi! I have a variety of work history that I would love to explain! I started my career working with adolescent males in an inpatient substance abuse program! This first experience led me to following my love for working with individuals with substance use disorders and mental health concerns! Since my very first experience I have been able to work in community mental health in various agencies, work in corrections with all male population addressing substance abuse, mental health, and criminal thinking, and now working in private practice with individuals with both mental health and substance abuse concerns! I also work part time working with kids that have been sexually abused and I am currently in school to get even more education to be able to work in a school next fall as a school social worker! I know that is a lot but I have gained extensive skill set with these experiences to best fit many different concerns and needs!
Location
123 Main st., Ottawa, 61350, IL