What is your style/approach to therapy?
Critical to developing a therapeutic relationship is trust and unconditional positive regard. Trust is based on consistency over time. Unconditional positive regard is conveyed by establishing trust in a non-judgemental relationship. By establishing trust and providing non-judgemental feedback, a therapist encourages a safe environment necessary for developing opportunities to explore sensitive aspects of personal history and challenges. I strive to establish trust, meeting the client where they are in life, and helping them embrace the inevitable lesson that life involves change. Assisting the client to adapt at a pace and in ways that help them meet personal goals remains the focus.
In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
My philosophy of life is to never give up, face the challenges as they emerge, learn to grieve loss and let go when appropriate. Trauma, loss, and stress impact everyone differently, and so it is my responsibility to help reframe and manage clients' cognitions and emotions associated with life's challenges. Although each individual's experience is unique, we all encounter similar thoughts and emotions associated with stress, trauma and loss. Helping others understand there is a predictable course of recovery from most negative life experience, illuminating the pathway, and facilitating clients' in moving toward the recovery process becomes my objective.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
Establishing a treatment plan concludes an initial assessment. This process typically takes one or two sessions. Specific treatment goals are driven by the client's individual circumstances and needs. Treatment goals must be realistic, operationalized, and time limited. Goals are re-evaluated periodically as a means of measuring progress. Specific strategies are employed to help achieve those goals, and vary depending on the client.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fees
$120
First Session
$100
Family Therapy
$100
Couples Therapy
$90
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Children (5-12)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Training / Certifications
Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology
Licensure
NC, Psychologist, 1659
Education
Ph.D.
M.A.
Work History
I have been licensed in North Carolina since 1979, and Florida since 2017, practicing as a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist serving individuals ages 5 and up. Specializing in helping individuals with neuropsychiatric symptoms adjust to developmental limitations, and adapt to changes in neurologic function. Populations served include ADHD, TBI, Learning Disability, Chronic Medical Illness, PTSD, Bipolar, and High Functioning Autism.. I work to assess each client in their life cycle and develop treatment strategies that efficiently serve presenting symptoms to help them achieve realistic goals.
Location
214 Red Wolf, Blowing Rock, 28605, NC