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Hello, I am Kimberly Hairston a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in Southern California. I have enjoyed a 20-year career in behavioral health providing individual therapy to adult populations.
My approach
My approach to therapy is strength-based and solution-focused. I believe you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out help and I am here to support and empower that journey by utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy models of care.
My focus
I enjoy working with an adult population from the ages of 18 yrs of age and up. I have excellent experience in helping clients with relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, career difficulties, depression, and anxiety. I am also very passionate about supporting women with postpartum and new parents navigating the challenges of growing a family. I also have experience working with foster care and adoptions.
My communication style
I think it is valuable to be a good listener. My communication style consists of reflecting on what is said in therapy sessions to help clients listen to their own voices. I believe in validating feelings and normalized experiences. I am also honest and direct and welcome feedback on communication preferences that work best for you.
My journey to mental healthcare
I had the fortunate opportunity to be mentored by a relative who was an excellent child therapist. Being an observer of her career motivated me to pursue a Bachelor's in Social Work followed by a Master's Degree also in Social Work with an emphasis on Mental Health Services. I am very passionate about the work I do and find it rewarding to be a part of someone's healing, growth, and/or change.
My goals for you
As a strength-based model of care; I focus on aiding in developing solutions to meet your goals. This process is performed collectively where an identified long-term goal is established followed by several short-term goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Each session we review your goals to ensure sessions are targeting the established goals. This assessment of progress allows for making adjustments to treatment goals as needed.
My first session with you
During our first session, we will spend time getting to know your desired outcomes for seeking out therapy. I will gather information about your history, family makeup, past treatment, if any and further explore what is bringing you to therapy at this time. I will discuss treatment options in an effort for you to make an informed decision on what works best for you based on my recommendation. If agreed we will set a return appointment to begin goal setting and therapy. I also like to assign practice skills in between sessions to discuss at each follow-up visit.
