Lynelle Goodreau

My name is Lynelle Goodreau, a licensed marriage, family, and child therapist (LMFT), and am open to seeing individuals, couples, families, and adolescents thru telehealth. My practice orientation with clients integrates the power of our mind-body-spirit connection toward healing wounded areas within ourselves. I specifically help those who have been victims of narcissistic abuse in their early childhood as well as current adult relationships. This trauma is real and needs to be processed with compassion and understanding within our bodies and minds. Narcissism undermines our growth, strength, health, and productive ways of living.

My approach

My approach with clients varies depending on what the client presents and what they need to work through for better ways of coping and adapting in their life. I am trained as a family systems therapist and focus on the kinds of attachment bonds that are formed thru the first 18 years of life. Personality traits, coping skills, behavioral reactions vs. responses, and distorted thoughts are discussed with clients. Unhealthy kinds of internal dialogue, narratives, and defenses also need to be discussed and flushed out for better self-awareness, self-compassion, and agency on behalf of oneself. It's key to begin to like yourself enough and develop a stronger and more confident relationship with the many parts of the self.

My focus

I am currently treating clients who need guidance with their aging parents regarding home transitions, mental health issues including dementia, and focusing on self-care while taking care of aging parents. I help clients with their trauma wounds of all kinds and help them to manage their collateral fallout of these kinds of psychological injuries that can persist for a long time. All emotional/mental pain requires a delicate balance of therapy with compassionate inquiry into memories held in the body. Moving away from all-or-nothing thinking and recognizing that our thoughts and feelings are always in flux on a continuum. We can learn to have more power over our thoughts even though feelings come and go and are less likely to be totally harnessed.

My communication style

I like to ask many questions and engage with my clients in more fluid ways with respect and truthfulness. I will offer my guidance and suggestions and will inform clients when I smell danger and dysfunctional energies in their life. I listen well and will validate, encourage, and mirror their growth and healthy behaviors. My goal is to help increase their self-esteem and inner growth so trusting themselves will likely manifest.

My journey to mental healthcare

I knew in high school that I wanted to be a family therapist. I loved my psychology class and the wonderful teacher I had and getting an A was also in my favor. I wanted to learn about why parents thought they knew everything and seemed to blame their children for their shortcomings. I was able to see some things very clearly in my family but could not talk about them as I was not encouraged to talk about negative things or point out some hurtful behaviors that wrongly impacted me. Children are to be seen and not heard was a saying my family and I resented that. I knew intuitively that was wrong. So I thought I would help other people with similar upbringings to realize they are not bad and are not responsible for their parents' feelings. We are never responsible for the behavior of the big people (our parents).

My goals for you

I ask clients what goals they would like to see happen and together we can plan a workable solution that includes the ups and downs of achieving a goal. I will give them honest input as to what are some ideas and thoughts they can put into action toward their desired goal. Let's not forget that patience and resilience are key players in goal setting.

My first session with you

I will ask them some initial questions about why they have chosen therapy for themselves now and what are some factors that led them to get help. Asking about prior therapy experience. I will help them identify some key issues and together hopefully come up with ideas of the direction to take. I will ask about any addictions, abuse, self-hurting thoughts or behaviors, and other major ticket behaviors that are occurring right now. I may give homework as well, like journaling, reading, researching, or interviewing family members.