My Approach to Helping
Do you feel misunderstood and alone? Do you have a hard time finding people who understand chronic illness chronic pain? or maybe you suspect that you have ADHD and your current stressors are making it extremely difficult for you to cope. Sometime we just need someone who understands our struggles to be able to help us understand ourselves and help navigate us towards a healthier life. It can be hard to find someone who is able valid your experience, show compassion, and still push you towards finding solutions and making changes. I love working with these populations and more including individual in recovery from substance abuse, trauma survivors, individuals with domestic violence and or sexual assault, and even people who grew up with parents that had a fat phobia.
My approach to treatment starts with hearing all about you and your life; What you are struggling with and the goals you hope to accomplish in treatment. I like to understand my client's perspective and who they are as whole person versus just their symptoms. Next, we will create a treatment plan together including how I can best help you achieve those goals. Not every person heals the same way or needs the same type of treatment and I do my best to accommodate what works for each client. For some this may look like completing workbooks and worksheets and for others it may just entail talk therapy.
In my approach, I typically utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. I also have completed many trainings with a focus on trauma treatment and trauma treatment while in recovery.
I come from a substance abuse background having worked in an intensive program, outpatient program, and a residential program for pregnant and parenting mothers. Before that I worked in a therapeutic group home, a domestic violence shelter, and at a sexual assault center. I have been working in private practice since March of 2020 doing telehealth. I have a master degree and license in professional counseling along with my National Board Counseling Certificate. I am a member of the American Counseling Association and the Connecticut Counseling Association.
Most importantly, I have found that the relationship we build together is the most integral part of the therapeutic relationship.