ANXIETY
Do you find yourself worrying incessantly about events that haven’t happened yet? Does your worrying make it difficult for you to engage in everyday activities like going to work or school, and seeing family or friends? More pervasive and debilitating than common stress, anxiety has many forms. General anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, and OCD interfere with your ability to live a productive and peaceful life. Symptoms include difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, shakiness, irritability, repetitive thoughts and compulsions, and irrational fears. Therapy will help you identify your triggers and learn techniques to control your anxiety so it doesn’t control you.
DEPRESSION
Do you often feel that there is a black cloud over your head that follows you everywhere and you just can’t shake it? Common symptoms of depression include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, and self-esteem. Many may find that they’ve lost interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that they used to enjoy. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide. Persistent sadness and hopelessness are obvious symptoms of depression but not everyone exhibits these clear signs. Depression is an insidious disorder and, for some, easy to mask. Behind a bright smile may lurk a darkness that only the wearer is aware of. Not wanting others to know of their struggle, a deeply unhappy person may force an upbeat attitude. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, please don’t wait any longer to reach out for help.
TRAUMA
A traumatic experience is any event which threatened your life or safety, or that of others around you. This could be a serious accident, physical or sexual assault, child abuse, war or torture, or disasters such as fires, earthquakes, or floods. As a result, you experience feelings of intense fear, helplessness or terror. Sometimes those feelings are reignited by a trigger such as a sight or smell that transports you back to the traumatic event as if it’s currently happening. This is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This perceived danger activates the fight or flight response which is usually a necessary reaction to keep us safe. However in the case of PTSD, it causes severe emotional or physical reactions such as sweating, heart palpitations, panic, guilt, and shame. Do you find yourself deliberately avoiding activities, places, or people associated with the event? Do you feel detached from family and friends? Therapy will help you decrease or eliminate your symptoms of trauma so you could leave the past in the past and start living in the present. Healing from a traumatic event takes time and self-compassion. Learning to experience joy in the moment again is worth the effort!
PARENTING
My decision to specialize in trauma was inspired by my work with parents and children. For the last few years, I facilitated a Mom’s Group for mothers who were at risk of or had lost custody of their children due to abuse or neglect. Most of the mothers were mandated by court and came from all walks of life. Others joined the group to learn parenting techniques and gain support when dealing with difficult parenting issues. Many had suffered from traumatic experiences throughout their lives which impacted their parenting abilities. What all of them had in common was a deep love for their children and the desire to be the best mom they could be. It was incredibly gratifying to help these women learn new parenting skills and regain, or retain, custody of their children. If you’re a parent in need of support and would like to expand your parenting skills, I’ll help you find solutions that work best for you and your family, Being a parent is the hardest job you’ll ever have. It’s also the most rewarding and joyful!
TEENS & TWEENS
I have worked with children and adolescents, privately and in school-based programs. So many kids have had their young lives disrupted by trauma due to their own experiences or by witnessing a horrific event. Others deal with anxiety or depression due to social issues or school performance. If your tween or teen is struggling socially or academically, I’ll work with them in a non-judgmental manner to determine what’s causing their distress and help them develop social and coping skills.
LGBTQ+
My work also includes empowering and advocating for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Although many seek counseling for the same reasons as others, LGBTQ+ individuals often have their own unique challenges. Despite the growing cultural acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identifications, discrimination still exists. Coping with oppression, coming out to one’s family and friends, and learning to live as your authentic self may cause extreme anxiety and depression. I practice LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy and will help you to understand and accept that what you are thinking, feeling, and desiring is a natural part of who you are.