What does a first session with you look like?
A first and possibly second session would consist of rapport building, assessment, and problem identification. This is a time for us to get to know each other and explore the "fit"; of client and clinician as this will be important moving forward to create and accomplish identified goals.
What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
The therapeutic relationship is very important to me. I can have all of the very best tools in my "tool bag"; but if we do not have a relationship the tools are not going to matter. It is for this reason that I believe authenticity is a key component in the therapeutic relationship.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
The determination of therapy goals usually occurs in the second or third session and is a collaborative process that is client driven. I strongly believe that the client is the expert in their life and that they know what is working, what is not working, and what they want to be different. Through rapport building, assessment, and problem identification we will determine and create goals that allow the client to live the life they envision.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anger management
It's normal to experience anger at times, but for some, it becomes so frequent, intense, or difficult to control that it negatively affects their life. Anger management is a structured therapeutic approach toward reducing one’s anger to a point where more appropriate coping and/or conflict management skills are used. Beliefs and thoughts leading toward anger outbursts are explored while healthy coping and interpersonal skills are put into practice.
Attachment issues
Children that experience parents and/or guardians that are avoidant, ambivalent, or resistant from an early age, may develop attachment issues. This can manifest as difficulty forming or maintaining friendships, romantic relationships and empathetic bonds throughout life, as well as other issues.
Fees
$100
First Session
$130
Couples Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Eclectic Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Licensure
NC, LCMHC, 12832
Education
MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, College of St. Joseph
Work History
I have worked in the mental health field for the past 18 years. During this time, I have held many positions ranging from work in residential facilities to clinical case management to clinical mental health counseling. Throughout my early career I learned that I had a passion for being proactive in my work as opposed to reactive. These lessons led me back to school to earn my Master in Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After graduation in May of 2011 I worked in a community mental health agency as a clinician with children and adolescents. The program I worked for was contracted by the Department of Children and Families which gave me the opportunity to work with children and adolescents, as well as, biological and foster families. After moving to North Carolina, I began working primarily with adults providing individual and couples counseling. Many of the individuals and couples I have worked with have experienced varying degrees of depression, anxiety, trauma, marital distress, and difficulty with life and work transitions. I am a strong believer in personal power which I incorporate into treatment. I use a person centered approach with a strengths based focus. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and have recently included Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my practice. I am a life long learner and believe that there is something to learn every day. Continuing education is very important to me as this allows me to provide the best service to the individuals I work with.
Location
Remote Therapist, Swansboro, 28584, NC