What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I believe that the most important traits for therapists are compassionate, have excellent listening skills and the ability to verbally communicate. I have compassion so that I can connect with my clients, excellent listening skills so that my clients feel valued and the ability to verbally communicate with my clients to give them advice and help them articulate their feelings.
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
I have always wanted a job where I was of service to others, but I didn't know how to channel that into a career until I took an introduction to social work course in college. We learned a lot about mental illness, what causes it and different ways to treat it, which inspired me to pursue a degree in clinical social work. I loved the idea of helping others overcome mental illness and helping them achieve their life goals.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
My approach is client centered at all times. I like to first develop a strong therapeutic rapport with the individual so that they feel safe and comfortable to share their story with me and share their thoughts and feelings. Then, I write down a few points from my notes to discuss in our next session. During the session itself, I try to refrain from writing too much. Instead, I listen to my clients and talk them through an issue. This is when I bring up the points from the previous session and ask whether they feel they have improved since then to assess progress.
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.
Bipolar disorder
Characterized by alternating symptoms of depression and mania. During more extreme episodes, depression may lead to the point of suicidal ideation and attempts while extreme bouts of mania are marked by impulsive behavior, lack of sleep, elevated esteem, and even psychosis.
Drug addiction & abuse
Dependence on particular substance or inability to control impulses in relation to drug or alcohol use. Withdrawal symptoms commonly experienced in absence of the substance.
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.
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.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
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.
Fees
$150
First Session
$85
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Licensure
NM, LCSW, C-07075
Education
Master of Social Work, New Mexico State University
Work History
I have 22 years of experience as a therapist. I have worked with diverse age groups and cultures providing itherapy to individuals with mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and other emotional disturbances.
Location
Remote Therapy - serving the greater New Mexico area, NM