You may know many of the strategies you are “supposed” to use to help yourself, such as meditation, self-care, deep breathing, “letting go and letting God,” exercising, having quiet times, challenging negative thoughts…. The list goes on and on. You may be asking: Where do I start? How do all of these pieces of my life fit together? It can be overwhelming to do alone.
I intentionally keep my private practice small because I want to be able to provide the best care for my clients. This means I am often unable to take clients that do not fit within my scope of expertise. I will not be a good fit for you if:
- You have actively engaged in self-harm or suicide attempts in the past year
- You are struggling with substance abuse or addiction
- You are engaged in ongoing court or legal system involvement (including divorce and custody issues)
I work with teenagers and adults. Due to my clinical hours (9am to 2pm on weekdays), working with teenagers directly is often difficult unless there is flexibility with missing school. There is substantial research suggesting that coaching parents on managing their child’s anxiety is just as effective as the child/teen attending therapy him/herself (for more information, check out these resources). Therefore, I am happy to work in that role with the parent while their teen is in school.
Therapy teaches new skills. You will be learning a lot! Research on neuroplasticity tells us that the brain changes itself by how it is operated by the user. The more you practice your new skills, the more the brain can be transformed. Therefore, you can expect clear, actionable homework assignments so you can practice your new skills in between our sessions.
Some clients come to me for a few sessions, and some clients come to me for years. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to receive therapy. You and I can discuss what you’d like to get out of therapy. That will help you decide how often and for how long you would like to come.