What will therapy be like?
You’ll quickly see who I am and how I work. I’m honest and open. Together we will identify what is getting in the way of making your life what you want it to be. We will start therapy by identifying what is working and what isn’t. Then we’ll set a goal, which means you’ll tell me what you want to get out of therapy. If you’re not sure, that’s great, we’ll start there.
Because we are all different, we will explore and use many different therapy styles. I don’t use just one. I have many therapeutic interventions to help you and I believe in all of them because I have seen them help. Don’t worry, you don’t have to understand and choose one unless you want. Based on our meetings, I’ll figure out quickly what I believe will be the most helpful route for you.
What I do:
I have experience working with people from all walks of life, children, teens, adults, and the mature. I have had intensive training and experience in using different therapeutic techniques including: DBT, Play Therapy, CBT, EMDR (see descriptions below).
Specialty treatment areas in which I have extensive training and experience: Adjustment, Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Loss, Play Therapy, Relationship issues, School issues, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Suicide, Trauma survivors.
Additional treatment areas for which I have experience and training: Adjustment Disorder, Assertiveness, Attachment, Future Planning, Faith Based Counseling, LGBTQA, Military, Mood Disorders, Organization, Parenting, PTSD, Severe Emotional Disturbance, Serious Mental Illness, Substance use, Survivors of Abuse, Veterans, Violence, Women’s Issues, and many other therapeutic needs.
I am a Registered Play Therapist and I’ve also been on the board of directors for Michigan Association for Play Therapy and Saginaw Valley Region Sports Car Club of America.
Brief descriptions of some of the therapeutic interventions I use:
DBT – Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – Help for dealing with strong shifts in emotions, stopping unsafe and high risk behaviors, making and keeping relationships, and mindfulness to assist living through a moment no matter how painful.
Play Therapy – Giving a voice to the things that are hard to express in words. Used with all ages. Art, sand tray, play, drama, acting, role plays, games…
Motivational Interviewing – helping to find why we do what we do and encouraging change one step at a time. Avoiding judgment to find where we are before making changes.
CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Addressing how thoughts, feelings, and actions interact, and making changes to each part.
EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – Dealing with trauma, self-image, and memories based on how our memories impact our thinking and coping.
248-779-6364