my approach:
thoughts for new clients:
ABOUT ME:
Therapy is often daunting and can be intimidating when a new client is just starting this process for the first time. My primary goal is ensuring your safety and comfortability by demonstrating empathy, understanding, compassion, and above all, respect. I recognize that you are the expert of the lived experience of your own mental health and the circumstances that may have brought you to therapy. Thus, any steps that are taken, will be taken in a collaborative effort, where both of us are committed to taking on a particular issue or circumstance together. However, I want to be clear that cannot happen if a therapeutic relationship, or at least a therapeutic alliance, is not first established. I have a lot of experience building relationships through my prior work in politics and management before I became a mental health clinician. I utilize active listening and engagement, and recognize that the most important job I have is to try to understand a new client wholeheartedly, openly, and in an unbiased manner. The importance of utilizing a collaborative effort in therapy cannot be understated.
I specialize in a variety of diagnoses including but not limited to substance abuse disorders, co-occurring disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, PTSD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and personality disorders. Nevertheless, I understand that not everyone that comes to therapy has a specific diagnosis and/or disorder, a diagnosis they agree with, or even a diagnosis at all. Thus, I also work with clients regarding anger, attachment, abandonment issues, behavioral issues, domestic violence, relationship issues, emotional regulation, grief/loss, insomnia, low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, abuse/neglect, and trauma. I further work with individuals who are former athletes or veterans that have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or multiple concussions.
My practice is evidence and strengths based. Some of the modalities and theoretical approaches I bring to my work include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-based Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Family Systems Theory, Integrative, Interpersonal Work, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Person-Centric, and Psychodynamic approaches. The populations I serve are as diverse as Chicago itself. I primarily work with individuals and couples but also run groups out of Inclusive Insight Psychotherapy and Counseling’s Irving Park location throughout the year. Typically, I only work with individuals as young as 14 and up into adulthood. In addition, I work with clients of all racial, ethnic, religious (or lack thereof) backgrounds. I am a strong ally of LGBTQIA+ community. I used to run a group that was a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community when I worked at the Gateway Foundation. I also have experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, however, my sincerest passion lies in substance use disorder and helping individuals obtain the agency that they need to live the best version of their lives. I want you to understand that your uniqueness and intersectional diversity is a substantial part of what contributes to your strengths.
I have dedicated the rest of my life to be here for you. Please reach out if you’re struggling in any manner or with any topic. I promise you that I will reach back.
On a personal level, I’m a committed gym goer and finding time to visit a gym to train brings me critical relief from today’s stressful life. And when not training or working, I can be found playing guitar, listening to mostly classic rock, and looking for the next concert opportunity to see my musical heroes like Eric Clapton, the Eagles, Buddy Guy, and the Rolling Stones.
