What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
I believe the key component of a therapeutic relationship is how comfortable a client feels with their therapist. This comfort level includes feeling that therapy is a safe place and the client is able to trust the therapist to provide compassion and empathy.
What does a first session with you look like?
The first session with me is a "get to know each other" session and beginning the biopsychosocial evaluation. This is the time where you also get to ask me questions and make sure that I am a "good-fit".
What is your style/approach to therapy?
My style/approach to therapy often feels very conversational. My approach is person-centered, you are more than your diagnosis. I want my clients to feel comfortable, much like talking to a close friend. You are the expert on you. Together we will work on expanding your strengths and help you to live your best life.
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.
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.
Codependency
Involves a person sacrificing their needs to meet the needs of others. Their thoughts and actions center on a significant other, spouse, friend, or relative. Becomes an issue when relationships are unbalanced and unhealthy.
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.
General Expertise
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.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
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.
Fees
$175
First Session
$175
Family Therapy
$175
Couples Therapy
$110
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Strength Based Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Integrative Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Licensure
WI, LPC, 7222-125
Education
MS, Mental health counseling specializing in addiction, Viterbo University
BS, Psychology with an emphasis in counseling and research,, Viterbo University
Work History
I have experience working with several diverse populations. I work with adults, adolescents, couples and families. I have experience working with Alaska Natives, Military (service members and families), court systems, school systems, medical facilities and addictions to name a few. I work with depression, anxiety, trauma, daily life stressors, and addictions.
Location
406 South Black River Street, Ste. 120, Sparta, 54656, WI