If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
Therapy is not like they show it happens in the movies. It's not this great "AHA" moment where everything falls into place and is "fixed" at once; rather, it is more of a series of small "Ahhh" moments, which open clarity and help the client see things differently. Therapy is not going to go where YOU don't want to go - remember, YOU are driving the bus - if you don't bring it up and talk about it, then it won't get addressed. Therapy doesn't "fix" you - you're not broken! Therapy helps you understand HOW you experience the world in YOUR way - and helps you understand a better way to navigate through the world more comfortably.
What do you think is the biggest barrier today for people seeking care?
There are several barriers, but a huge barrier is being able to access services. Telehealth has certainly opened up the opportunity for many to seek counseling services when they could not receive services before, either due to location or lack of availability of providers in their areas. Schedules also have a way of making mental health care "take a back seat" in a client's life, as people are now busier than ever, it seems. Telehealth allows a new flexibility to scheduling for appointments.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
Goal-setting is a collaborative approach. A therapist and the client have to work together to set reasonable goals, or the goals will not be successful. My role as a therapist is to guide my client to develop goals which can be achieved; because "you are your own best expert". Setting goals are important because they help you remain accountable for the things you want to achieve. Identifying what you want to work on, and identifying the steps which need to be taken to reach a successful outcome, checking in on those steps to see how you're doing with them, is the key to success. therapy goals can be fluid and are not rules, they need to be flexible and changed, if necessary, to have a successful outcome.
Specialties
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.
Adoption & foster care
Adoption and foster care considerations include education on the process, integrating the new family, establishing household rules and boundaries, processing past trauma on behalf of the child, emotional health, and other adjustment procedures.
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.
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.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by persistent instability in relationships, extreme emotional reactions, and chronic fear of abandonment. People with this may also tend to be moody, experiencing a lot of high highs and low lows.
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.
Fees
$125
First Session
$125
Family Therapy
$125
Couples Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Couples Session
Group Session
Family Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Children (5-12)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Multicultural Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
Telebehavioral Health Institute Practitioner Certified
National Association of Social Workers - Military, Veterans and Families - Clinical Social Worker Certification
Licensure
FL, LCSW, SW 16944
NM, LCSW, C-09892
Education
Masters, Social Work, Clinical Practice, New Mexico Highlands University
Work History
Sharon is a clinical social worker, educator, and behavior support consultant. She has several years’ experience working in educational and mental health settings specifically with children, adults with disabilities, the Military, Veterans and their families. Sharon also strives to meet the technical needs of clients by using a combination of electronic platforms, including secure video and telephonic sessions. When working with clients, Sharon utilizes several approaches and customizes the treatment to meet the individual’s needs within the therapeutic setting.
Location
4142 Mariner Blvd., Suite 235, Spring Hill, 34609, FL