My clients often tell me, “It’s hard to do this or that”. I always reply, “You can do hard things!” This often becomes their new motto. I use a gentle but direct approach to support my clients through their journey in life. I utilize various techniques from CBT, DBT, Gottman Therapy & Solution Focused Therapy. We all need support and someone who can objectively assist us through the good and bad times. I offer a safe space for individuals to share what they think and feel and learn more about themselves and how to manage their lives more effectively. We will explore why we do what we do and learn ways to change the outcomes if we choose to do so.
I am originally from New York but have lived in Florida since childhood. I spent half of my life on the east coast of Florida but have really enjoyed the west coast of Florida since attending and graduating college. I attended the University of South Florida and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my Master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a counselor and help others. I once had a counselor tell me as a teenager, “If you think your parents are dumb, why do you then expect them to be anything but that?” It really allowed me to adjust my perspective and expectations which made all the difference in how I was able to navigate more easily through some very rough years.
I have worked most of my career in community mental health with individuals who struggled with severe and persistent mental illness and addiction. I spent years assessing individuals for the proper level of care, working in a crisis unit with individuals who were suicidal, homicidal, detoxing and experiencing psychosis. I have worked with adults and teenagers but really love working with couples as well. I managed a children’s mental health program, a case management department and was the director of a south county location of a local community mental health agency for many years. I have worked closely with psychiatrists and understand the benefits of medication management along with counseling for many individuals. I have met with clients in every setting imaginable!
Later in my career, I worked for many years behind the scenes with a large insurance company in managed care so I am very knowledgeable about the medical necessity of various treatments both inpatient and outpatient at all levels of care.
After 20+ years in the field of psychology, I am still so happy to be able to be a part of someone’s journey through parts of their life to help them reach their goals no matter how big or small.
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