Courtney WoodLICSW

During our first session, we will spend time gathering background information and discussing your expectations for therapy. Our first session is also a time to discuss some possible goals you may have for therapy, and how we might achieve those goals. I will also answer any questions you might have about the therapy process.

We are all shaped by our own experiences, both personal and professional. My work with adolescents in the juvenile justice system helped me gain a better understanding of the needs of this population, while reinforcing the importance of working with the entire family system to effect change. My later work with older populations allowed me the opportunity to help those individuals and their families work through issues related to grief and loss – not only the loss of loved ones, but the loss of freedom and independence, as well as guilt experienced by caregivers as a result of having to place their loved one in a care home. On a personal level, anxiety is something I struggled with from an early age. This resulted in both a personal and professional interest in seeking to understand the dynamics of anxiety – what contributes to its development and how to effectively treat anxiety using evidenced based practices.

Success in therapy is influenced by a number of factors and will look different for each client. Similarly, the speed at which progress is made will vary by client. It is important not to focus on how quickly change occurs, but celebrate observable, measurable progress experienced by the client. This could be measured by a decrease in the level of anxiety one experiences during an event that previously caused significant anxiety. Progress could also be observed by maintaining control in an environment that previously triggered anxiety or anger. It could also be something as simple as getting a good night's sleep for the first time in weeks. As a therapist, I work closely with clients throughout the process to ensure that we are making progress toward established goals.

• Alabama, LICSW, 4905C

I began working in the field of social work in 2004. I initially worked in child and family preservation services before moving into the area of juvenile justice. I provided a range of services to juveniles on probation, including anger management and coping skills training, while also working with the family as a whole. During this time, I began working on my Master of Social Work, earning an MSW in 2011. As part of my MSW program, I completed a yearlong practicum with a counseling agency, where I worked with clients experiencing depression and anxiety, After several years of providing direct care services to youth and families, I served in management roles, including Program Manager and Program Director, for the youth and families agency. In 2016, I moved to Alabama, where I began working in healthcare. Since that time, I have held positions in a short-term rehab facility, hospice agency, dialysis clinic, and skilled nursing/long-term care facility. These positions have allowed me the opportunity to work with clients and families in the areas of depression, anxiety, adjustment/coping skills, life transitions, work stress, substance abuse, and grief/loss, particularly as it impacted clients and families during the pandemic. I continue to build on my skills by completing trainings and workshops regularly in an effort to evolve my practice.