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Greetings! I am a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), as well as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) in Georgia with original roots in Ohio. I am a Vietnam-Era Veteran with experience working with veterans and the homeless population. Although my expertise is with Substance Abuse; I am skilled in Mental Health issues such as, (PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder; etc.)
My approach
My skills include CBT, Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Harm Reduction, and Motivational Interviewing, along with knowledge of other Therapy Modalities. I have a Bachelor's degree in Substance Abuse Counseling and a Master's Degree in Social Work (Mental Health) from the University of Cincinnati.
My focus
I have worked the majority of my career with Veterans, homeless, and substance abuse clients. I don't limit myself to working with veterans, but that's where I'm most comfortable, being that I am a veteran and I'm also a recovering alcoholic myself. I am familiar with being homeless, and I've also struggled with alcohol/drug use. Thanks to my "Higher Power," I have remained sober for over 20 years.
My communication style
My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic—psychodynamic, and rational-emotive counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.
My journey to mental healthcare
As I stated above, I have had issues with using drugs and alcohol. When I got sober, I was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous; I became a sponsor of many individuals that were trying to get sober. I liked helping people, but at the same time, I was helping myself. It became apparent that it was my calling to further my knowledge in the field of addiction. I went back to school very early in my sobriety; I received my Bachelor's & Master's Degrees from the University of Cincinnati, and as they say, the rest is history.
My goals for you
Goal setting with an individual is a collaborative agreement between me and the client. I will help guide and focus on what needs to be accomplished in order for the client to get better.
My first session with you
During our first session, we will both get a clear understanding of our roles in this process. I will try my best to make the client feel comfortable without any pressure on giving up information. I will talk about myself briefly in the hopes of helping him in the process of opening up. I will explain confidentiality, along with informed consent, as it relates to his choices in treatment.
