Therapy is the process of meeting with a trained and credentialed professional on a regular, ongoing basis to help you gain insight, process thoughts and emotions, heal, and grow. It can also help you recognize and change deep-rooted and potentially self-sabotaging mental and emotional behaviors, thoughts, and patterns that are keeping you feeling stuck, in pain, and away from the life you want to live.

My foundation is formed by feminist theory. Don't get distracted by that and think it's not for you. It is for everyone. It is an integrative approach that focuses on challenges and stressors that we face as a result of bias, stereotyping, oppression, discrimination, and other factors that threaten our mental health. I use the therapeutic relationship to help empower you to understand the social factors that contribute to your issues, discover and claim your unique identity, and build on personal strengths to better your life and lives of others. Anybody that has been marginalized can benefit. It focuses on diversity, gender issues and sexism. The purpose of feminist therapy is to empower. We identify skills and strengths that will help you recognize and embrace your own personal power. We give you a voice.

I also use components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which focuses on the power of beliefs and thoughts on our emotions and behaviors.

For trauma, when appropriate, I use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which also focuses on how trauma impacts our beliefs and thoughts and how to get unstuck.

I wish I could give you a concrete answer, but it really just depends. It depends on the type of things you are coming to therapy for, severity of symptoms, and personal needs. I can make recommendations as we go along, but ultimately it is your decision.

No. I am open to all types of clients if it is a right fit for the both of us. I have just found that my passion is working with women and others who have been marginalized.

You will bring the completed forms with you to save time. If you are unable to do so, no worries, you can complete them in office. However, that will take time away from our time together. We will go over any questions you may have about the forms and anty other questions you may have. I will go over confidentiality and billing. I will read the bio you completed online and ask more in depth questions to get a better understanding of you, your history, what you are wanting to address in therapy, and help you come up with goals to work towards. If we feel comforatable together and like we are good fit we will schedule another session to begin working. If we do not feel it is a good fit I can offer referrals to other therapists who may be a better fit for you.

First and foremost you should feel emotionally safe to have a positive working relationship. You should feel listened to, truly heard, respected, and valued. Here is a more in depth article to help.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201108/13-qualities-look-in-effective-psychotherapist

LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. This means that I have gone through a process to be checked out by the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health. This is the governing board for all behavioral health providers. It means I completed a graduate program in counseling, worked under supervision for a required amount of hours, and was approved by the board for full licensure. All masters level therapists are required to go through this process regardless of the program or licensure type they hold. It is a protection for clients. It holds us accountable. If you ever have problems that you cannot resolve with your therapist you can contact the board on your behalf.

It depends on what you're looking for. Therapy can be used to treat mental health issues or to improve wellness.

For mental health issues: you can understand your symptoms, what mental illness you may have, and how to cope. You can also bring family so that they can learn more and how to better support you.

For overall wellness: therapy can help you love yourself more, excel in your career, improve relationships, help you understand your purpose in life, let go or forgive, process grief, practice assertiveness, gain confidence, or work towards any other goals you may have.

A therapist comes from an objective place because they do not have any personal buy in to what you are dealing with. Family members are biased by their own desires and values which you may not want put on you. Many people worry about burdening family members so a therapist is a place you don't have to worry about that. A therapist has specific training and experience with emotions, mental health, and interventions.

People generally use this interchangeably.

No, you can talk about anything you wish to in therapy. Though emotions are an important piece of therapy, they are not the only focus. We will focus on outside factors that have contributed to where you are and may impact where you want to go. We also pay attention to how your thoughts and beliefs impact your emtions and your behaviors.

No. Humans are made to need connection and support from others. Attending therapy does not make you less competent, independent, or strong. Actually, the most successful people know they do not know everything and know who to go to for what supports they need.

Therapy is an investment of both time and money. It is an investment in you and your future. We look at what is keeping you stuck and come up with ways to get past them. This can be profoundly impactful to you, your relationships, work, and health. I believe that therapy is an act of self care that can be a continued investment in your well being.

Here's one article that lists some common myths.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-mentality/201804/six-lies-you-might-believe-about-therapy

From me you should expect: respect, compassion, empathy, undivided attention, openness, honesty, warmth, gentle challenging, appropriate information, helpful techniques when appropriate, referrals to other types of relevant support.

From you I expect: investment. This is a big one. For therapy to be effective you must be open to it and willing to work on things both in and out of therapy. Also respect, open communication, and feedback.