If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
I believe that the stigmas related to mental health and one’s hesitance to enter a therapeutic relationship has made great positive changes over the years. It is important to look at mental health, as brain health. Just as we go to our primary care physician for preventative checkups, it is also beneficial to view therapy as preventative health. I personally have seen this transition, as more and more young adults are seeking therapy for various issues. Furthermore, with the expansion of telemedicine, individuals can seek a therapist from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.
What does a first session with you look like?
Our initial session, first and foremost is truly establishing a meaningful rapport and partnership. I believe that trust and honesty are of the utmost importance to bring about everlasting changes and growth. Furthermore, I will gather a thorough and detailed history, as well as, discussing what brought you to therapy. We then, together, will develop a plan of care that will act as our road map to your goals. Together we will target the areas you are seeking to change with measurable results, bringing you clarity, and maximize your success.
What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
The key component of a therapeutic relationship is honesty and transparency between the therapist and the client. Far too often a client will view the therapist as the overall expert and what they say or recommend as an absolute. Although, many therapists are experts in their field, both the client and the therapist must acknowledge that everyone has their own unique experiences. Therefore, therapists are equipped with many therapeutic tools. As a team, we will try different techniques and if one does not feel right or produce change, then we try another tool. The problem occurs, if the client does not tell the therapist and just assume that he/she are doing something wrong.
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.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
General Expertise
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.
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.
Agoraphobia
A debilitating anxiety associated with the intense fear of being in situations or places that might cause panic like crowded rooms, long lines or other situations or places that might cause panic.
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.
Codependency
Involves a person sacrificing their needs to meet the needs of others. Their thoughts and actions center on a significant other, spouse, friend, or relative. Becomes an issue when relationships are unbalanced and unhealthy.
Fees
$100
First Session
$100
Couples Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness Practices
Marriage and Family Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Positive Psychology
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Hypnotherapy
Training / Certifications
NBCCH (National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist)
Trained in EMDR
Prepare~Enrich Facilitator (for premarital and couples counseling)
Irlene Syndrome Screener
Licensure
FL, LMHC, MH5274
Education
MS, Mental Health Counseling, Nova Southeastern University
Work History
I have been working in the field for over 24 years in many different forums, such as community mental health centers, hospitals, the family court system, and private practice. I have extensive experience treating children, adolescence, individuals, families, couples, and groups. Throughout the years, I have developed many areas of expertise such as the latest treatments in brain health science, CBT, EMDR, and Hypnotherapy.
Location
4830 West Kennedy Blvd, Suite 600, Tampa, 33609, FL