What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
When I was in undergrad studying to be an athletic trainer, I discovered the part that I enjoyed the most was talking with the athletes that I was working with. When they brought an issue into the therapy session I enjoyed helping them work through that while we were doing their training session. I realized that instead of going into sports medicine that I needed to go into mental health counseling. I have a very long family history of substance abuse and essentially I wanted to work on being a healthier person so that I could stop the cycle of addiction in my family.
What does a first session with you look like?
During our first session, I usually focus on getting to know you. I have specific questions I ask so that I can get a good general idea of what your are wanting to work on as well as the biggest concerns that you have in your life currently. From there you identify the issues or concerns that are the most pressing and we develop a plan together of how you prefer to address those issues and/or concerns.
What is your style/approach to therapy?
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in therapy sessions. I have found that many of our intrusive thoughts as well as maladaptive behaviors come from a throught process that is somewhat flawed from the beginning. My goal is to help my clients identify the things in their thinking process that tends to cause them the most problem and to cognitive challenge the way that they think. I believe that if we can change the way that we think in a positive way then we can change that we behave in a positive way as well.
Specialties
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.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is the intentional misuse of a substances (e.g., alcohol, prescription drugs, OTC medications, recreational and street drugs, household chemicals). This may include binge drinking or taking twice the prescribed dose of painkillers. For substances considered illegal and/or extremely detrimental to well-being, using even once may be considered substance abuse. Because of the addiction potential for many substances, abuse oftentimes leads to addiction.
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
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.
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.
Academic challenges
Concerns that impact school performance or academic life. Can include perfectionism, bullying, financial stress, academic transitions, test anxiety, balancing school with other responsibilities, discrimination, or harassment.
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.
In-Network Insurance
Sana Benefits
Fees
$100
First Session
$100
Family Therapy
$100
Couples Therapy
$50
Group Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Group Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Training / Certifications
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Training
Licensure
AL, LPC, 2805
Education
Masters of Science, Mental Health Counseling, Lee University
Work History
Over 15 years working with individuals, marriages, and families in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Over 15 years of extensive expertise in the field of Addictions.
Location
26099 Highway 59, Suite B2, Loxley, 36551, AL