My Specialties & Services
Let us work together to help you better manage your life.
I Work Primarily With Individuals, and May Accept Referrals for Couples or Families
Individual Therapy
Empowering You For Relationships
I am dedicated to helping individuals learn how to build strong connections, enhance communication, and find greater with their partner. Explore your relationship dynamics, resolve conflicts, and learn valuable tools for long-lasting love and intimacy.
Supportive Therapy
Experience the transformative power of learning how to cope with family members. I help you define a safe and inclusive space where you can engage with family to address conflicts, improve communication, and foster lasting connections. Book today to unlock the your potential for successful family relationships.
My Expertise
ADHD
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically presents in childhood, though it can persist into adolescence and adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD are categorized into two main clusters: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To receive a diagnosis of ADHD, an individual must exhibit a persistent pattern of these symptoms that are significantly impairing and inconsistent with their developmental level.
PTSD & Trauma
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Trauma can vary widely and may include experiences such as physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, accidents, combat, or other life-threatening events. The symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into four main categories: intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in mood and cognition, and changes in arousal and reactivity.
Stress & Anxiety
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Stress and anxiety can have a profound impact on mental health for both adolescents and adults. These overwhelming emotions can manifest in various ways, leading to difficulties in daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Evidence-based techniques and personalized treatment plans can guide individuals towards improved mental health and resilience. If you or a loved one is struggling with stress or anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Someone to Talk To
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When faced with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and more, having a safe and nonjudgmental space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences can lead to personal growth and self-discovery. Clinical mental health counseling and therapy services offer compassionate support for individuals seeking to heal, understand themselves better, and create a healthier future. Professionals can integrate physiological, emotional, and psychological factors to help you achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Explore the power of professional mental health care and embark on a journey towards lasting healing and positive transformation.
Job Loss or Change
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Losing a job or changing jobs can have a significant impact on our mental health. The uncertainty, stress, and financial strain that come with these transitions can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation. Clinical mental health counseling and therapy services offer a safe and confidential space for you to explore your emotions, develop coping strategies, and regain your sense of well-being.
Depression
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Depression is a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities. It can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including their relationships, work, and overall well-being. Addressing depression is crucial because it can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life and can even lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Clinical mental health counseling and therapy services with a compassionate and informed therapeutic counselor offers a safe and nonjudgmental space for you to explore your emotions, gain understanding, and develop coping strategies.
Irregular Sleep Cycles
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Poor sleep patterns can have a profound impact on our mental and cognitive well-being. When we don’t get enough sleep or experience disrupted sleep, it can lead to a range of negative effects. Our ability to concentrate and focus may suffer, making it difficult to perform well in school, work, or daily tasks. We may also experience memory problems, struggling to recall information or retain new knowledge. Additionally, poor sleep can contribute to mood disturbances, including increased irritability, anxiety, and depression. It can also impair our decision-making abilities and problem-solving skills, affecting our overall cognitive functioning. Taking steps to improve our sleep patterns is crucial for maintaining optimal mental health and cognitive performance.
Couples Infidelity
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Infidelity within a marriage can have a devastating psychological and emotional impact on both individuals involved. The betrayal and breach of trust can lead to feelings of deep hurt, anger, and confusion. The emotional toll of spousal infidelity can manifest in various ways, such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also cause harmful thoughts, isolation, and strained relationships within the family. I understand the complexities of navigating the aftermath of infidelity. Clinical mental health counseling and therapy services offer a safe and nonjudgmental space for individuals to process their emotions, heal from the trauma, and work towards rebuilding trust and creating a healthier future.
Harmful Thoughts
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Unchecked harmful thoughts can have a detrimental impact on our mental well-being and overall quality of life. When we allow these negative thoughts to persist without addressing them, they can become deeply ingrained patterns of thinking that contribute to increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Understand the dangers of allowing harmful thoughts to go unchecked and find a clinical mental health counseling and therapy service that can empower you to challenge and reframe these harmful thoughts, fostering personal growth, self-discovery, and ultimately leading you towards a happier and healthier life.
Isolation & Loneliness
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When we feel disconnected from others, it can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. Isolation and loneliness can be debilitating emotionally and mentally, casting negativity on every aspect of our lives. Clinical mental health counseling and therapy services offer a safe and compassionate space for you to explore these emotions, develop coping strategies, and find a path towards healing and connection.
Strained Relationships
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Strained relationships can have a profound impact on our emotional state. The feelings of hurt, anger, and confusion that arise from betrayal and a breach of trust can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. These negative emotions can manifest in harmful thoughts, isolation, and further strain on relationships within the family. The complexities of navigating strained relationships may require clinical mental health counseling and therapy services to help you process your emotions, heal from the trauma, and work towards rebuilding trust and creating a healthier future.
Family Member Conflict
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Family member conflict can have a profound negative impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. The constant tension, arguments, and unresolved issues can lead to feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration, causing significant distress. This conflict can also contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as feelings of isolation and hopelessness. It’s important to address these conflicts and seek clinical mental health counseling and therapy services to create a safe and nonjudgmental space for healing, understanding, and working towards healthier relationships and personal growth.
My Approach
I am practical in my approach to mental healthcare and do my utmost to use clinical counseling and therapeutic interventions with the focus on helping my clients achieve their goals and reach their full potential. You can expect a collaborative and personalized treatment plan that integrates the physiological, emotional and psychological factors of your unique circumstance.
My work over the past thirteen years in mental health has been varied, providing a broad spectrum of experiences with mental and emotional disorders. Exposure to cases involving depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, obsessive thinking, complex grief, traumatic memories and neurodivergent characteristics have grown me into a more compassionate and informed therapeutic counselor. This typically allows us to identify the fundamental causes of your personal distress, leading to greater efficacy in treatment.
My attitude is always adjusted to your needs as a client. I do my best to be appropriately direct, while at the same time keeping your mental and emotional disposition at the forefront. We will work together to identify and validate your individual needs and create a strategy that meets them. My goal is to provide you with the tools and support needed to navigate the complexities of ADHD and trauma, fostering lasting healing and positive transformation.
ADHD and trauma-focused interventions.
I will assist you in developing specific strategies for managing ADHD symptoms such as difficulty with focus, organization, memory, impulsivity, executive functioning skills, and emotional regulation. Additionally, I will explore any underlying stressors or unresolved trauma-related issues that may be contributing to your challenges with ADHD. Together, we will identify ways to reduce distress while building skills in self-awareness, problem solving, assertiveness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and relaxation.
Throughout the therapy process we will regularly assess progress towards goals as well as any obstacles impeding progress. As appropriate for each individual client’s needs, family involvement may be integrated into treatment if desired by the client or deemed necessary by me or other professionals involved in their care.
Ultimately, my goal is not only to help you manage ADHD symptoms but also to foster greater resilience so that you can thrive in life despite significant challenges. Together we will embark on a journey towards a more fulfilling life where you can discover greater self-awareness and trust in yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can trauma cause ADHD or contribute to its development?
While it is unlikely that trauma would cause Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), certain traumatic events can lead to symptoms associated with ADHD. A person suffering from trauma reactions can have difficulty sustaining attention, struggle to follow through on instructions, have difficulty organizing tasks or appear fidgety. If a person does have ADHD, traumatic experiences can certainly exacerbate any symptoms already present.
How can trauma impact the symptoms of ADHD?
Traumatic experiences might exacerbate or alter the presentation of ADHD symptoms. Trauma victims are often distracted by traumatic memories or recollections, which in a person with ADHD can result in more pronounced difficulties paying attention to details. Hypervigilance is also a common trait in individuals with trauma history, which keeps their brain preoccupied. This can increase forgetfulness, loss of necessary items, and distraction from task centered focus common in individuals with ADHD.
Are there specific types of trauma that are more likely to be associated with ADHD?
Certain types of trauma, such as physical abuse, emotional neglect, or adverse childhood events, are more strongly correlated with ADHD. This can be the result of a caregivers struggle to understand the impulsivity and perceived lack of motivation in a child with ADHD. It may also result from a parent’s ADHD symptoms which can inhibit self-control and, undiagnosed, often leads to substance abuse or behavioral problems.
Is there a relationship between ADHD and trauma-related conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
People with ADHD tend to engage in more risk-taking behaviors. They are often driven to interests in a wide variety of activities. They are more likely to abuse substances, as well. These traits make them more likely to put themselves in dangerous situations where they are at physical risk. For these reasons, potential comorbidity or overlap between ADHD and PTSD is higher.
How can healthcare professionals differentiate between ADHD symptoms and trauma-related behaviors?
The healthcare professional has several tools available for ascertaining the degree of emotional and psychological disturbance caused by either ADHD or trauma. Primarily, an extensive diagnostic interview seeks to differentiate between ADHD symptoms and those resulting from traumatic experiences. Traits of ADHD and those caused by trauma can sometimes overlap or manifest similarly.
What are the most effective treatment approaches for individuals with both ADHD and trauma history?
It is essential to tailor treatment for the unique needs of the individual. A trauma-informed approach recognizes the impact of trauma on an individual’s life and ensures that treatment is sensitive, safe, and supportive. Psychoeducation, cognitive and behavioral therapies, as well as emotional regulation techniques provide a solid foundation for treatment. Social skills training can help individuals navigate social interactions and build healthier relationships. Collaboration with educators can provide accommodations that help individuals with ADHD and trauma thrive academically. Trauma-focused therapies, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), may be incorporated into the treatment plan.
It’s important to note that ADHD and trauma are complex topics, and seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare professional or mental health expert is essential for accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Contact Me
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