My Approach to Helping
Hello and welcome to my practice! If you choose to engage in therapy with me, you can expect a professional experience as well as a well-trained provider. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a nationally Certified Counselor, and a Board-Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor with over 20 years of addiction training and counseling experience. I have additional training/specialization in grief and trauma issues (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional). Whether you are coping with anxiety and depression related to normal life stressors, or if you struggle with addiction issues and/or impulsive behaviors, we can identify what may be at the root of these behaviors and develop strategies to manage stress in a healthier manner.
As a college professor with over 15 years of teaching experience in psychology, criminal justice, grief and loss, and addiction courses, my counseling includes evidence-based approaches to increasing coping skills and reducing common symptoms such as anxiety and depression. My preferred approach is cognitive behavioral therapy, with a strong emphasis on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. This is a focus on the present rather than the psychodynamic approach, which reviews (sometimes endlessly) the past.
I am a Certified Mindfulness-Informed Clinician, and my clients report less anxiety after learning these skills. I believe in establishing a confidential therapeutic relationship to build the trust necessary for sharing intimate thoughts and emotions that promote growth, healing, and self-awareness. If this sounds like a good fit for you, please contact me to schedule an initial evaluation, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. I look forward to assisting you in your decision to make a positive change in your life!