Trauma
I have a wealth of experience in the assessment and treatment of PTSD/Trauma-related disorders. I worked as a specialist within the Veterans Health Administration for 12 years treating various forms of trauma through the use of proven, effective therapies that truly help people regain their lives and attain the life satisfaction they desire. I most often utilize the specific Cognitive Behavioral Treatments of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) to address PTSD symptoms, both in which I have extensive training.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the mostly commonly experienced conditions and is very treatable! Research demonstrates that engaging in therapy to address anxiety is as helpful as medication in many cases without the potential side-effects and with long-term benefits that last. I will help teach you tools to think about situations in a healthier way to reduce your baseline level of anxiety, as well as, assist you in learning direct coping skills to address acute anxiety when it hits. I most often utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Relaxation and Mindfulness skills, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to most effectively address the anxiety.
Depression
So many individuals struggle with depression, and when in the throws of a depressive episode, hopelessness can sink in making it seem like nothing will ever get better. Active engagement in therapy to treat the depression can be immensely helpful. I will help you discover the root cause of the depression and develop a plan to address the source of the issue and teach you the skills needed to avoid the negative patterns that contribute to the depression. I tailor the treatment to the individualized needs of the client, most often using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and/or Interpersonal Therapy for Depression (IPT).
Adjustment
Significant life events such as a loss, a change of jobs, a move or any other major life transition can create distress in our lives. Even when the change is a positive thing, we can still experience an adjustment period of stress and feeling overwhelmed. Having a support and guide in these times can aid in settling into the new norm. At times, the adjustment can be challenging and contribute to symptoms of anxiety or depression that can be directly addressed to help the person return to baseline or perhaps even healthier than their previous experience.
Substance Use
I am very comfortable working with individuals wanting to change their substance use. In my VA career, I specialized in treating people struggling with substances as well as other mental health conditions occurring at the same time. I assist individuals in more fully understanding their patterns of using from a place of non-judgement, identifying the underlying issues that the substances are often being used to mask or numb. We discover as a team more effective strategies to manage distress in order to replace the self-medicating attempts at coping. My approach is to meet individuals where they are in different stages of recovery and readiness for change and develop a model of treatment to best meet individual's personal substance-related treatment goals.
Interpersonal Skills
While I do not specialize in specific modalities of couples counseling, I am able to assist individuals or couples in developing healthier communication skills that can improve relationships as well as improve functioning in other important areas such as the work setting. Learning how to best address things early on with an approach that best meets your personal needs can be such a life-changing tool!
Grief
Unfortunately, grief and loss are an inevitable part of life for us all but can be so very painful to experience. I have come to appreciate the supportive role that therapy can play in guiding individuals through the challenging journey of healing and adjustment to various forms of loss. We focus on emotional processing of the grief, working toward acceptance of a new reality and discovering a restored sense of purpose and meaning in the continued chapter of life. To aid in this process, I often incorporate emotional processing strategies and interventions from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Prolonged Grief Treatment.