Are you STRESSED, feeling overwhelmed with too much “on your plate” and unable to get what all you need or want done?

Have you been struggling to get “back on your feet” after a major loss in your life, personally or professionally/academically?

Or maybe you’ve been feeling exhausted and out of control and confused as to why with all the “good things” going on, like an exciting new move, school, job/position, and/or relationship?

We go through many changes in our lives, some positive and some negative, some gradual and some unexpected. But changes, even the positive ones, can be very stressful and challenge us in many ways, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, academically/professionally, and/or socially.

However, even though life’s challenges are unavoidable, our experience of those challenges is something we can control, and I can help you better cope and experience less stress, despite what’s happening…

Have you been having trouble sleeping or focusing because of worry or overthinking, and it’s been affecting your school/work, social, or home life?

Does fear keep you from connecting with other people, decision-making, or doing what you need or want to do?

Have you been feeling nervous, irritable, restless, tense, or panicked or having heart palpitations, breathlessness, excessive sweating, or trembling, and there’s no medical explanations for your symptoms?

Maybe you’re avoiding or procrastinating to feel better in the moment only to find it’s making you feel worse in the long-term?

Have you been drinking too much, using drugs, or doing other unhealthy activities to help you avoid and feel better in the moment?

If your thoughts, emotions, or actions are feeling out of control, and you’re unable to feel or function well, you may be experiencing anxiety, and I’m here to help…

Are you feeling sad, blah/empty, tired, hopeless, irritable/on-edge, or isolated and think you may be depressed?

Has your sleep, appetite, or focus been off, too?

Since our emotions do affect us physically, maybe you’re also experiencing medically unexplained aches/pains or sexual desire/performance issues.

Have you been feeling unmotivated, unable to take care of personal or work/school responsibilities?

Are you using alcohol or drugs to feel better or get things done?

Since our thinking affects how we feel, maybe you’re also noticing negative intrusive thoughts you‘re having about yourself, the world, or the future.

If you are experiencing some of these, you may have depression. And if so, please know…

Have you been struggling with (dis)ability or impairment-related challenges?

Are you adjusting to or assisting someone else dealing with physical changes or limitations?

Have you been encountering or witnessing the harmful effects of discrimination or unfair treatment due to ability differences?

Are you searching to advocate for yourself in meaningful ways?

Or maybe you’re seeking resources to help you cope with the stress of caring for someone, a loved one, with a disability?

Could you use a safe and caring space to talk, feel, and explore what you want and need?

If you or someone you care for could use help navigating (dis)ability-related issues, including social and institutional barriers limiting supports and opportunities, support and opportunity is here… 

Are you experiencing difficult memories, flashbacks, or reminders of something terrible that happened to you or someone else?

Have you been feeling nervous, on-edge, afraid, sad, numb, or isolated since what happened?

Does it seem like you’re reliving the “nightmare” over and over again, and you’re unable to live and enjoy life like you used to?

If so, you may have post-traumatic stress.

Most of us will experience some sort of trauma at least once in our lives. It may be from an accident, abuse, or assault. It may be from war, natural/man-made disaster, or the death of a loved one.

Although many of us heal from our traumatic experience with time and caring support, many of us have longer-lasting impacts. It’s, in fact, common to feel deep pain, fear, and confusion long after the trauma.

So, if you think you may be dealing with the impacts of trauma, even if it’s been a long time since it happened, you are not alone! On trauma and treatment here…

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an intervention that was born out of traditional Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. However, there’s a clear distinction between ACT and these, as well as most other traditional Western approaches.

ACT focuses on acceptance, mindfulness, and values rather than challenge to cope with and heal from negative thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It was developed by psychologist Steven C. Hayes who described the concept behind ACT in a Psychology Today post:

We as a culture seem to be dedicated to the idea that ‘negative’ human emotions need to be fixed, managed, or changed-not experienced as part of a whole life. We are treating our own lives as problems to be solved as if we can sort through our experiences for the ones we like and throw out the rest. Acceptance, mindfulness, and values are key psychological tools needed for that transformative shift.

If this path to wellness resonate for you…

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a short-term, problem-focused, and present-oriented therapy, helps you to understand the link between your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

CBT is based on the idea that it’s not actual events that affect how you feel and act in response but, instead, your perceptions of those events. Your perceptions are influenced by your core beliefs, which formed in childhood. They’re also influenced by your dysfunctional assumptions, your human tendency to focus on the negative and ignore the positive or neutral, and automatic negative thoughts which have become habit for you.

Based on CBT, your mental health problems developed and continue because of irrational, inaccurate thoughts and unhelpful learned behaviors. So, your mental health problems may be reduced or resolved by modifying those faulty thoughts and unproductive actions.

Do you think CBT may be a good fit for you? If so…

Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT), or Mindfulness Therapy, is an intervention used to address unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that cause or worsen problems. It does this by helping you to improve your awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and circumstances. With greater awareness of yourself and your environment, you then learn how to avoid unhealthy habits and reactions.

MBT is distinct from many traditional therapies that take a challenging approach to unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s a main component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; see above). It’s also often used along with other therapies and as a stand-only therapy.

There are several types of MBT, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy (MBSR). MBCT focuses on recognizing negative thought patterns, while MBSR incorporates stress- coping techniques with mindfulness practices.

If this approach is of interest to you…

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), or Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), is a client-centered, short-term, present and future oriented, strengths-based, and culturally-sensitive approach. It fosters hope, change, and relief from the very start of therapy, right away powering you forward.

SFBT begins with identifying and detailing your goal(s), creating a clear vision of your desired change, and then we collaboratively moving forward on your path toward achieving your goal(s).

Throughout therapy, SFBT highlights your unique lived experiences, perspectives, and emotions, builds on your resiliencies and resources, and focuses on your goal(s). It is based on the concept that you are the expert in your own live and that you already have needed tools and abilities to help you solve your problems.

Does SFBT sound like it may help you? If so…

Are you considering online instead of in-person therapy but have reservations? If so, please consider this…

Busy students, professionals, and stay-at-home parents have found the time-saving convenience of not traveling to therapy very helpful.

People who live in rural areas or have limited transportation or mobility have experienced the accessibility of online therapy to be invaluable.

Others have simply come to enjoy the ease, comfort of online services.

I am certified in telehealth by the Telebehavioral Health Institute Advanced Practice (2020). 

Online therapy allows clients and therapists to meet via live video conferencing. This can be done anywhere you have a smartphone or computer and a safe and confidential place to talk.

And online therapy has shown to be as effective as traditional in-person therapy, more so if…