What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
It would be important for people I provide services, to know that I am very open and to the point. Even if you don't like my advice I will still be honest with you. I hold compassion for individuals who maybe experiencing any emotional distress/trauma. I will encourage one to always find a strength from within, because I believe we all have more strengths than we give ourselves credit for. Nothing is insurmountable in life, we may need to work on ourselves to be in a space we desire. Everyone deserves to be complete and not judged.
What do you think is the biggest barrier today for people seeking care?
First and foremost barrier why people do not seek mental health care is the stigma of having a mental health need. We know all people despite their education, culture, socioeconomic status, age, sex can be affected/experience a mental health crisis. Some people feel society will view them as vulnerable or broken. Some people carry these feelings inside of them for years and never get the help they need. Another barrier of participating in mental health services include the lack of services. Government funding for mental health services has been deficient for decades, yet the need for mental health services continues to increase for all age groups. Some people may not even recognize they have a mental health need. People have lived with the symptoms of mental health disorders for so long, they believe it's normal or may not accept that they have a mental health need. Some mental health agencies may have limited times they are open, which poses a problem for people who are employed during the day or may not have jobs that offer paid time off ( vacation, sick or personal ) for them to participate in desired mental health services.
What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
Key components of building a therapeutic alliance with a client, would be to provide mental health services that would make a client feel safe. Meaning, what we discuss and process is in a professionally safe place for a client to share their experiences, goals and feelings and not be judged. We would work together to determine goals, in which a client desires to focus on, goals that would enable them to have feel progress and/or fulfillment in their life. Helping the client to have a sense of empowerment verses vulnerability.
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.
Drug addiction & abuse
Dependence on particular substance or inability to control impulses in relation to drug or alcohol use. Withdrawal symptoms commonly experienced in absence of the substance.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that is precipitated by a perceived terrifying event. This event need not occur directly to the person but may happen vicariously—having seen something terrible happen to another person. The condition may last months or years while symptoms include ruminating thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety when triggered, and potential substance abuse in attempt to cope.
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.
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.
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.
Adolescent mental health
Adolescent mental health focuses on adolescent-specific experiences including physical and cognitive development, social and environmental factors, sex, sexual identification and orientation, emotional processing, and substance use. Given the influence that parents/guardians have on adolescents, home life is a particularly important consideration.
In-Network Insurance
Aetna
All Savers Insurance
Nippon Life Insurance Company of America
Optum
United Healthcare
United Medical Resources
Fees
$109
First Session
$110
Couples Therapy
$110
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Group Session
Family Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Children (5-12)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
NYS School Social Worker Certified-permanent
Department of Veterans Affairs: Training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression
Department of Veterans Affairs: Training in Moving Forward: Problem Solving Therapy
Department of Veterans Affairs: Police Training Handling Disruptive Behaviors
Child Welfare/Child Protective Services Supervisory Care Training Supervisory Therapeutic Foster Parent with Kinship Family of Agencies
Mandated Reporter Trained,
Licensure
NY, LCSW, 082392-01
Education
Masters in Social Work, University at Buffalo, NY
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Nazareth College of Rochester, NY
Work History
I have been working in the social work field for the last 33 years. I enjoy the opportunity of working with individuals and families in a variety of settings. I have diverse experience that includes working individuals who have developmental disabilities ages 4- 80 years old. I very much enjoyed working for our Veterans as a Mental Health Lead in an Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation and Detox program, providing mental health assessment/diagnosis, individual and group therapies, medication monitoring and suicide prevention/intervention. I have also worked with homeless Veteran's in Texas, by assisting secure housing, mental /physical services they may need. Currently I work for my local school district, providing psychotherapy to students ages 12-21 years old.
Location
427 Haverling St, Bath, 14810, NY