Were there lessons in your professional or academic career that left an impression on you, and how has that informed your work today?
The biggest lesson I was taught and instill in myself today is to never work harder than my client. I will help you and be there for you every step of the way. However, I will not do more work than you in the process; this is for you, not me, and you have to want it for yourself.
What does success look like in therapy? How will a client know that they are making progress?
Success in therapy can look like many things- a decrease in symptoms, completing a task you have been avoiding or wanting to accomplish, or simply feeling a little better as time goes on. You will be able to feel it when you are making progress; you will noticing you are caring for yourself more, you are accomplishing goals you set, you are giving yourself more grace, your symptoms are decreasing and more manageable, etc.
In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
I believe in free expression and meeting my clients where they are at in the moment. If silence is needed, we can be silent for a moment. I do not try to filter my clients and allow them to speak and interact in whatever ways they are comfortable while still keeping professional boundaries in tact.
Specialties
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.
Mood disorders
Mood disorder is a broad term used to include the different types of depressive and bipolar disorders, all of which affect mood. With a mood disorder, your moods may range from extremely low to extremely high or irritable.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is the intentional misuse of a substances (e.g., alcohol, prescription drugs, OTC medications, recreational and street drugs, household chemicals). This may include binge drinking or taking twice the prescribed dose of painkillers. For substances considered illegal and/or extremely detrimental to well-being, using even once may be considered substance abuse. Because of the addiction potential for many substances, abuse oftentimes leads to addiction.
Women's issues
Women’s health is regarded as the holistic being and experience of being female. This extends beyond consideration for illness and other complex conditions but to general considerations of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Issues may include female oppression, socialized gender role, female reproductive issues, motherhood, body image, divorce, and substance use.
General Expertise
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.
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
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.
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.
Fees
$50
First Session
$150
Group Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Group Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Psychoanalysis
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Training / Certifications
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Certified Recovery Support Specialist
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Licensure
IL, LPC, 178.017127
Education
Master of Health Science, Addiction Studies, Governors State University
Work History
I have worked in community mental health for a few years where I have conducted both psychoeducational and processing groups, connected clients to resources, and conducted individual sessions. Before graduation while interning I developed and led a women's group for women in a recovery home focused on substance use, mental health, and women's issues. I have also worked in a residential settings with adolescents experiencing mental illness. I specialize in substance abuse and co-occurring disorders meaning that there is a substance abuse and mental health issue occurring simultaneously. I believe in helping my clients achieve their goals by building trust and rapport while also using evidence-based practices to learn how to decrease and manage symptoms.
Location
Remote Therapist, Portage, 46368, IN