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Welcome to Rula Mental Health! My name is Soni Fitzhugh. I am a licensed professional counselor in Silver Spring, Maryland working with clients via telehealth. I work with adults and adolescents. I want to help people lead healthy and productive lives.
My approach
My therapeutic approach is person-centered and it reflects my values. A person-centered counseling session is open, incorporates a lack of structure, and has a non-directive approach. During my sessions, clients do most of the talking. In addition, they experience what is called unconditional positive regard, or nonjudgment, empathetic understanding, and genuineness.
My focus
I specialize in teaching coping skills to clients with anxiety, depression, and women's issues. My favorite modality is called EFT which stands for the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping. So, if you would like to try a new modality? Why not try EFT it is a powerful holistic healing technique based on research showing that our emotional stress contributes greatly to disease. EFT is an easy self-help tool for people struggling with painful emotions that traditional medical and psychological treatments have been unable to help.
My communication style
As a counselor, I am about empowering my clients. Empowerment begins within the therapeutic relationship, in which the client becomes an equal partner in the helping and healing process. I would like to see clients have the opportunities they need to thrive in life.
My journey to mental healthcare
I love my job. My mission is to create, nurture, and allow a climate of growth, connection, and potential to blossom in my clients. I believe that the most empowering intervention is education because it encourages my clients to identify their patterns and barriers to wellness. I have become increasingly aware that counselors are not here to give advice or tell clients what to do because it robs them of the opportunity to figure it out for themselves. I like to give clients the fighting chance they need to thrive in life.
My goals for you
My strengths are best reflected in client’s motivation and those that want change. My work is better suited for clients who prefer the flexibility and freedom to discuss their issues in a supportive way. The person-centered approach benefits people who desire self-esteem, authenticity, the ability to build better relationships and confidence in their decisions. I consider you an individual and use elements of different approaches to help you explore and cope with your problems.
My first session with you
What you can expect from our first session together is for us to spend the majority of our time talking about how you’ve been feeling recently, and me asking questions to better understand some of why you may be feeling that way.
