If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
I think it is important to know that as the client in counseling you determine what happens in counseling. if you don't feel a connection with the therapist you can request a change, if the approach the therapist is using doesn't appear to work you can bring attention to this, if you don't feel like the things you want to address are being addressed you can identify that. At the end of the day the counseling is for the benefit of the client and a therapist's role is to facilitate therapy for the benefit of the client.
In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
My personality is usually very direct, empathetic, and laid back and my approach to therapy is much the same. I identify patterns or concerns I might observe from the client to the client, I speak directly and plainly about topics presented in therapy, I am empathetic with my clients, and I am relatively laid back in that I try to create a calm, welcoming, and comfortable vibe through therapy.
What does success look like in therapy? How will a client know that they are making progress?
Ultimately, I think success is defined by the client but I also recognize that clients can struggle to see their own progress and successes. To me success in therapy looks like change, trying new approaches to solve or address concerns, exploring areas where change might be needed, and less distress in day to day life. Client's will know they are making progress by how they engage in treatment, by learning new things, trying new things, and experiencing a decrease in symptoms or an increase in management of symptoms. Client's will also know they are making progress when they feel better equipped to handle situations that they may have felt they were unable to do in the past.
Specialties
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.
Sexuality Based Issues
Sexuality refers to habits and preferences in terms of sexual behavior, which people express in many ways. Issues in this area may be related to confusion or distress about sexuality or sexual identity.
Identity development
Process of defining one’s own beliefs and sense of self. Evolves over time and can become a source of stress and pain, especially if the concept of self goes against social, cultural, or familial norms.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
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.
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.
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.
Abuse/Survivors of abuse
Abuse includes any significant mistreatment along the lines of psychical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and neglect. Survivors of abuse may experience negative thoughts and feelings, flashbacks, distrust of others, social withdrawal, self-harm, and increased likelihood of developing mental health and substance abuse issues.
In-Network Insurance
Aetna
All Savers Insurance
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Nippon Life Insurance Company of America
Oscar Health
Oxford Health Plans
United Healthcare
United Medical Resources
Fees
$100
First Session
$150
Couples Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Psychoanalysis
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eclectic Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Feminist Therapy
Forensic Therapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Positive Psychology
Reality Therapy
Relational Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
The Duluth Model: Domestic Violence Intervention
Licensure
OH, LISW, I.1901950
Education
Master of Science in Social Administration, Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor of Social Work, Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Work History
I have been working in the mental health field for 12 years. I started at an entry level position on a crisis unit and suicide hotline and from there I became a therapist for adults with issues or concerns related to their emotions, mental health, relationships, substance use, suicidal thoughts, trauma, court related issues, sexuality, self-esteem, and women's issues. I have worked mostly in community mental health and have also done crisis assessments in the hospital setting. I have done tele therapy since the pandemic began and have also provided tele therapy in an online platform. I use a variety of evidence-based practices when working with clients to address the concerns they bring to counseling. I like to meet the client where they are at and what this means to me is ultimately the client dictates treatment with some guidance from me.
Location
4312 Bowman St Rd, Shelby, 44875, OH