Sharon WalkerLPC

My approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is a psycho-social intervention that aims to improve mental health. CBT focuses on challenging and changing cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and developing personal coping strategies that reduce current problems. My goal in therapy is to create a healthy therapeutic relationship with the client that promotes trust, care, and respect.

Components include: The ability to communicate empathy and understanding to the patient. The therapist's openness, flexibility, and willingness to adapt the treatment to the patient's needs. The therapists actively solicit patients' input about the goals and methods of treatment, to facilitate collaboration. Emotional bond of trust, caring, and respect; agreement on the goals of therapy; and collaboration on the treatment plan.

I'm excited about the changes in attitudes toward mental illness. Many beliefs toward mental illness vary among ethnicities, countries, cultures, religions, and families. With the evolution of telehealth, many families and individuals are taking advantage of mental health counseling. The convenience of teletherapy allows the client the ease and convenience of receiving counseling in the comfort of their home. I'm also excited about the new development of evidence-based therapies that treat trauma (EMDR). These new therapies are helping disorders like PTSD and other mental illnesses.

• Virginia, Licensed Professional Counselor, 0701010233

My counseling career began over twenty years as a Professional School Counselor in the high school setting. While working as a School Counselor, I also worked as an Intensive In-home Counselor and was quickly promoted to the Crisis team. As a Crisis Counselor, I would counsel individuals with coping and support after a major crisis. As a crisis counselor, I learned several of the qualities of crisis intervention are empathy, patience, and compassion. As a Crisis Counselor, I created a safe space where my clients could share without judgment or bias. I would offer different perspectives and taught therapeutic skills to clients on their journey to wellness. I opened my private practice, specializing in anxiety and mental health disorders.