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I started off counseling because I wanted to help myself. I never thought I'd be a counselor in a million years. But I signed up for one counseling class at the College of DuPage and since I signed up for one I may as well sign up for two, and since it's a degree I may as well get the associate's degree. And then I got my associate's degree and I figured well might as well get my bachelor's and since I got my bachelor's I figured might as well get my master's degree.
My approach
I have a holistic approach. I try to look at the person I'm counseling from their full environmental perspective such as looking at the people in their life such as family and friends, where they live what kind of job etc. I like to start off with easy questions to make it more comfortable and then get more in-depth as we feel more comfortable with each other. I know it can be hard to talk to a stranger about all of one's personal problems, but I try to be as nonjudgmental and accepting as I can be and I try to listen as well as I can.
My focus
You know what I honestly don't have a preference about what kind of client or what kind of problem. I've started off counseling substance use clients so I have the most experience in that area.
My communication style
In therapy, I find it important to make good eye contact and listen empathetically.
My journey to mental healthcare
What drew me to therapy was that I didn't know what I wanted to be and I felt lost but I ended up learning about therapy to help myself initially and it went so well that I was inspired to become a therapist myself and help others. I started helping people with substance use problems and I worked at an inpatient facility for 5 years. Later I branched off and became a private mental health therapist.
My goals for you
Often times my clients haven't had therapy before and are not sure what they can get out of it. My goal is to help one understand the benefit of therapy and how helpful it can be to one's life.
My first session with you
The first session is mostly about information gathering, trying to understand the client and all the different factors that are affecting their life, also hopefully making a good connection.
