What does a first session with you look like?
To me a first session is the most important session in the relationship between a client and a therapist. This is the avenue where the initial seed is planted once compatibility is established. This is also where the stage is set for optimal benefits working collaboratively. This is an opportunity to set the parameters using evidence-based strategies. This is finally where the foundation for the relationship is determined.
What does success look like in therapy? How will a client know that they are making progress?
Personally, it is easy to determine whether or not you are making progress in therapy. If you can set a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) goals in therapy, it is much more easy to determine successful outcomes. According to Bill Copeland, not having SMART goals is like running up and down the soccer field without an opportunity to score.
What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I believe it is important that clients know that failure has no place in my life. This believe comes alive as I work with every client. Starting off negatively in life (not having appropriate role models. In other words, not knowing many successful people I can actually relate with), could have been a hinderance if failure was an option in my life. I believe you can level the playing field even though you started with some deficits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) causes a hard time focusing attention and controlling restless or impulsive behavior. People with ADHD might have emotional outbursts, be forgetful, and/or find it difficult to stay organized.
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.
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.
Fees
$130
First Session
$130
Family Therapy
$130
Couples Therapy
$130
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Adults (25-65)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eclectic Therapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Intensive Therapy
Training / Certifications
DBT, Suicide Prevention, Exposure Therapy
Licensure
WI, LPC, 5157-125
Education
Master of Science degree, Counseling Major, Indiana University
Work History
Throughout my career, I have continued to work with children, adolescents and adults. I have inpatient, outpatient and telehealth experiences. My specialization areas include ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Grief and Loss, Parenting Challenges, Relationship Related Issues, Self Esteem, Stress and Trauma. I partner with my clients to have difficult conversations by communicating effectively - we form meaningful relationships this way. I frown when advice is given during therapy interactions. I strongly believe clients are capable of drawing conclusions they can be proud of given the skills they need.
Location
Remote Therapist, Kenosha, 53142, WI