My Counseling Specialties
Throughout my career, I realized that I do lots of things competently, but I do some things exceptionally well and decided to focus on getting even better at those things. I love working with motivated clients who have specific issues bringing them into therapy rather than a desire to simply explore, do deep trauma work, or just discuss issues as they arise in session. I expanded my training to narrow in on solution-focused brief therapy, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, all time-limited approaches.
Wait, does that mean I will feel rushed or that therapy with you is just a band-aid? Absolutely not! We work together to set and achieve your treatment goals and I often find that my clients and I both notice that it is time to graduate from treatment around the same time. I will never end services with you solely because your “time is up.” That is both unprofessional and unethical. Also, my door is always open and I see clients come back with new issues or for check-ins months, or years, later.
Several studies have compared the effects of short-term therapy with longer treatments and found that brief therapies were roughly equally effective and had sustained outcomes comparable to those of longer therapies. In addition to managing the issues at hand, therapy with me builds resilience and empowerment. It also helps you develop the important skill of metacognition, which is the ability to think about your thinking. These traits and abilities are therapeutic gifts that can last a lifetime.
What Counseling with Me Looks Like
After the first session during which I conduct an assessment, we develop goals that will provide a general road map for your treatment. During each session, we check in briefly for a few minutes, then figure out together what the best use of our time in the session would be. I often ask a question like “If you leave here today having gotten everything you need from therapy at this moment, what do you think we would have spent our time discussing?” It’s a loaded question that is supposed to be tough to answer, but often leads to the very best sessions. From there we will spend our session deep in goal-directed conversation.
Professional Bio
I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Hampton University in 2001, a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Valparaiso University in 2005, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Adler University. I hold a variety of certifications including Certificate Program in Primary Care Behavioral Health (University of Massachusetts Medical School), Level II Certified Telebehavioral Health Practitioner (Telebehavioral Health Institute), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Diamond Level One Certification (The Solution Focused Universe). I have worked in inpatient psychiatric facilities, medical practices, community mental health centers, a juvenile detention facility, and private practices. I am licensed by the State of Indiana as a licensed mental health counselor. I am licensure eligible as a clinical psychologist, but the designation is pending at this time.
Personal Bio
I am a self-proclaimed foodie and amateur chef who takes maybe a few too many pics of her creations for social media (see above). I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. I have the honor of being co-mom/life coach to three young adult children and (grand)mom to an adorable pupper named Staxx. I love to volunteer with teens and with organizations that help to eliminate mental health stigma, especially in the black community. I like to travel anywhere with a body of water with the family, or with my lovely partner of nearly 15 years.
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