I am very warm and open, very personable, and I allow my clients to work at their own pace. My typical therapeutic process is a somewhat structured and flexible framework that provides empathy, rapport building, and evidence-based practices to deliver mental health treatment. I use a collaborative therapeutic relationship that warmly welcomes the client into therapy, discusses limits of confidentiality as they pertain to self-harm or harm to others, covers the length of sessions and frequency of meetings, invites questions from the client, and describes their role in the treatment process. I provide a safe space where a client can express themselves in an environment open to all cultures and gender identities, while helping clients explore their strengths. I conduct clinical assessments using standardized tools including the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, as well as client interview and report. I continue to monitor and track safety and implement evidence-based interventions such as CBT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Supportive Therapy. Over time I revisit progress, highlight growth and obtained goals, and move toward termination when appropriate, also providing aftercare and referrals.
My primary areas of focus are Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Stress, Trauma, Relationship issues, PTSD, Life transitions, and Emotional Dysregulation. I also enjoy working closely with clients who struggle with healthy lifestyles, poor decision making, substance use disorder, chronic homelessness, Domestic violence, and challenges of daily living. I have a passion for helping those who are less fortunate and have challenges with routine daily activities and basic life needs such as food, housing, education, work stress, and chronic medical conditions. I use treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Supportive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, among others.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated in 2012 from Hunter College School of Social Work and have been practicing since that time. I have worked with many populations including women, men, adults aged 18 and up, the homeless population, parents with children in foster care, and parents in need of support and learning communication skills with teens. I also have knowledge of working with clients recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital setting, as well as the hospital discharge planning process and emergency room care.