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Cheryl Swanson, LCSW: I am a Christian therapist who works with adults. In more that 30 years practice, I have specialized in working with clients struggling with trauma, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, I work with parents who are challenged by their children’s difficult behaviors. I love giving parents the tools they need to turn things around so they can enjoy their children again.
My approach
I prioritize teaching you tools to help lower your level of distress as we address the traumas or other issues fueling your anxiety/depression. Explaining what is happening in your brain and body makes it easier to self-regulate and decrease your symptoms. I use a mix of trauma-focused CBT, CBT, supportive, and psychodynamic therapies to address trauma, anxiety, and depression. I use interventions from 1-2-3 Magic and Triple P to address parenting concerns.
My focus
The clients I work with are generally struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. My ideal client is someone willing to learn and practice tools that will help them experience less distress, especially while processing traumas. I also greatly enjoy working with parents who are motivated to learn new parenting interventions and practice them at home. They will see their children’s behaviors change.
My communication style
Ideally, sessions give you a peaceful, safe place to share your story. I tend to be very calm and to ask clarifying questions as you talk so I better understand you. When I am teaching/explaining something, I tend to check in often to be sure you understood me. I want you to know that I hear you and that my goal is to help you feel better.
My journey to mental healthcare
Like many, successfully working through difficult issues from my own childhood created the desire to help others do the same. I want you to feel better and your life to be easier! I pursued a specialty in psychotherapy and became certified in Trauma-Focused CBT. I love learning new interventions I can share with my clients to help them manage their symptoms, especially as science is learning more about the brain. I am trained in two parenting programs which have been very successful in helping parents manage their children’s behavior.
My goals for you
Identifying the symptoms that are giving you the most distress gives us a marker to track your overall progress. As we go along, these goals also help us see that, although you may still be struggling, progress is being made.
My first session with you
After your initial assessment session, I begin by teaching tools you can use that will help you feel less distress. This allows you time to get to know me before sharing sensitive material. This is flexible, however, as you decide what we talk about each session.
