If you could pick one movie or book that influenced your approach to therapy, what would it be and why?
"Feeling Good" by David Burns changed the way that I practice! It was by reading this book that I began to realize the power our thoughts have over our emotions and actions. It taught me that if we can learn to challenge our negative thoughts it can have a profound impact on our ability to change our lives for the better.
In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?
When I was a teenager I was forced into court-ordered therapy. I feel like I gained nothing from this, even though I am sure that the therapist tried the best they could to help me. As I started to be a provider myself, I looked back on this experience and recognized that a person really has to be ready to make their own changes and to even talk about them in the first place. I let this guide my practice, so I always make sure to go at the client's pace and not force them into talking about or doing anything that they are not ready for.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
I try to learn as much as I can about a client, as they are the experts of their own situation. Once I have a good understanding of what the client has been through, I then direct them through questions like, "so how would you like things to be different now" and "what would you like to do with that information." This leads to a collaboration to develop treatment goals, with a combination of what the client wants to achieve and how I can help them get there.
Specialties
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship Issues
Stress
Behavioral Issues
General Expertise
Adolescent mental health
Adoption & foster care
Attachment issues
Caregiver stress & support
Child mental health
Communication issues
Divorce & separation
Family issues
Fees
$130
First Session
$130
Family Therapy
$130
Couples Therapy
$200
Group Therapy
$130
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Group Session
Family Session
Individual Session
Couples Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Attachment-Based Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Licensure
NM, LCSW, C-11012
Education
Master of Social Work, New Mexico State University
Work History
I began practicing as a therapist working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system and their families. After doing this intensive family work for a few years, I began providing individual and couple's therapy with an agency who provided services for the community. In this work I began specializing in anxiety, depression, and behavior alteration. When I started this work, it happened to be right at the start of the Covid pandemic so I had to quickly adapt to providing telehealth services. Since then, I have learned all of the advantages that can come with telehealth. I have thus been transitioning into private practice where I plan to continue to provide telehealth services to those who might otherwise not be able to have access!
Location
Remote Therapy, Las Cruces, 88005, NM