What does a first session with you look like?
Typically a first session would involve a conversation of what you are attempting to gain from therapy. I would explore what things you have identified as issues or things you would like to address throughout our work together. I would like to discuss what your "take" on therapy is and what things you have found to be helpful for you during previous therapy sessions (if there is past experience). Although this session may include more dialogue from me as I utilize this session to try to understand your meaning of therapy, your issues and goals.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
I first start by having the client identify what their understanding of a goal is. I would like to make sure that both the client and I hold the same understanding of how they view goals. I then work with guiding the client in identifying what their needs/issues are and help them in developing goals that are attainable. In defining goals for the client, the process entails unpacking issues that the client has identified as things they want to work on or that are effecting their daily functioning.
What is your style/approach to therapy?
I am driven by the theory of meeting a client where they are at (in their journey). My main approach that I usually use in every session (to some extent) is client-centered therapy. This approach rejects the idea of therapists as authorities. I approach my sessions with the knowledge that a person's therapy has to be somewhat tailored by what they identify as an issue/problem in their daily living. I typically will utilize different approaches and combination of elements from multiple approaches with clients mainly dependent on what the goal is and/or what seems to be effectively working with the client. Some of the approaches I often use are Psychoanalysis, where the focus is mainly on changing problematic behaviors, feelings, and thoughts by discovering their meanings and motivations. Behavior therapy, including cognitive behavior therapy, which focuses on thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive therapy, which emphasizes what people think rather than what they do..
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.
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.
Coping Skills
Coping skills are tools and techniques one can learn, practice, and use to handle difficult emotions, decrease stress, and establish or maintain a sense of internal order.
General Expertise
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.
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.
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.
Autism spectrum disorder
A developmental disability that impacts communication and behavior. Onset typically occurs during early childhood, but an individual may be diagnosed at any point in life. Severity of the disorder varies along a spectrum. Accordingly, challenges associated with verbal and nonverbal communication, interpersonal interactions, and restricted/repetitive behaviors vary as well.
Caregiver stress & support
Caring for a friend or family member (paid or unpaid) includes emotional support, housework, help with finances, medication management, and shopping. Can be stressful, making caregivers more vulnerable to things like anxiety, isolation, and fatigue.
Fees
$100
First Session
$150
Family Therapy
$120
Couples Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Strength Based Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Marriage and Family Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Intensive Therapy
Licensure
MA, LCSW, 221682
Education
Masters of Social Work, Wheelock College
Work History
Since 2012, I have developed extensive experience working with a diversity of people; including my experience with behavioral problems, substance abuse, adults with chronic illnesses, mental health, domestic violence, hospice work and substance dependence problems. I have over a decade of experience including counseling, substance abuse, advocacy, leading groups, community referrals and resources, education and training, My mission is to help people reach the goals THEY have identified for themselves and focusing on the model of meeting the client where they are at.
Location
Remote Therapist, brockton, 02301, MA