Welcome to True You!
Thank you for considering us while you explore your therapeutic options. I accept therapy clients in the state of Florida as well as offer coaching and consulting nationwide. I am glad you are here with us and I would like to take a moment to share with you how I can support you!
First and foremost, let’s talk about you and how I can assist you in accomplishing your goals. There are several different reasons why you could be visiting our page but most importantly is the fact that you are here! Be proud of yourself for acknowledging you may need extra support right now. This is not easy for everyone to do, yet you have demonstrated the courage to do so. Many of us have had life experiences that have negatively impacted us to some extent. Some of these experiences can cause significant disruptions in our lives when we feel as if we can no longer cope. Sometimes we may just need the opportunity to talk to someone that won’t make us feel judged, or maybe we need to feel heard or be offered empathy. It is important to be able to find our center and experience an internal sense of peace and security and I would be more than happy to help you achieve this.
I use a holistic treatment approach with my clients when addressing their physical, emotional and social well-being. We will explore your unique qualities while highlighting and encouraging your strengths as this helps to provide a strong therapeutic foundation. I will help you identify emotional and behavioral barriers as well as destructive patterns. You will be supported as you work to heal from emotional struggles and find solutions that will help you lead a healthy, happy, and productive life.
I work with a diverse patient population including tweens, teens, and adults providing individual, family, and couples therapy. I offer psychotherapy and psycho-educational services to my clients as well as their guardians and family members if needed, in an effort to prevent future crises, to facilitate personal, emotional, and social growth, and ultimately enhance overall well-being. Given the opportunity, I will work closely with other professionals involved with the client and their family including but not limited to, the client’s educational staff, IEP team members, psychiatrist, and case manager by offering assistance to the client’s support system with modifications necessary for their success.
Your time is valuable, and I will facilitate the treatment process to move as quickly as therapeutically possible. If you are willing to commit to your treatment with hard work, I pledge I will work just as hard to support you. I will provide a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic space for my clients. During our sessions you can expect me to be honest and direct when speaking about your treatment and progress. We will work together to create individualized treatment strategies to assist you in learning new skills and attaining your therapeutic goals. You are important and you deserve to feel peace and joy!
My Clinical Background:
I have extensive experience in diagnosing and providing therapeutic treatment services. I began working with behavioral health clients in 2000. In 2001 I graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in the area of Speech Pathology and Audiology with a focus in Psychology. In 2006 I earned a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work in conjunction with an Addictions Certificate from the University of Central Florida.
I have provided treatment to patients with varying exceptionalities in a variety of settings such as in-patient, partial programs, DJJ commitment programs for incarcerated youth, intensive outpatient and in-home. While I specialize in providing therapeutic services addressing food allergy management and concerns, chronic health issues, medical conditions, healing from trauma, abuse, PTSD, and the recovery from addictions and substance use and abuse, I also have significant experience in the treatment of grief and loss, depression, mood disorders, learning disabilities, developmental delays, social skills deficits, anxiety disorders and more. I use a variety of techniques to help treat individuals with emotional and behavioral concerns. I implement trauma focused therapeutic models with clients when needed to facilitate healing, empowerment, and overall health and wellness.
Helping clients heal from trauma is one of my primary goals. I have dedicated my efforts to help improve client care for several years, concentrating on those that have been impacted by traumatic events. I have implemented, organized, and developed internal program processes that increased nationwide recognition by DJJ stake holders resulting in the program becoming nationally recognized as the #1 model in the state of Florida. I was an agency staff trainer dedicated to increasing the program staff’s understanding of the specific needs and behavioral issues related to young women that have survived trauma. I provided consultation services to staff members and counselors, educating them on the best practices regarding trauma informed client care and trauma informed therapy.
I have personal experiences regarding living with multiple life-threatening food allergies as well as being a caretaker of those living with allergies. Living with chronic health issues is another challenge that I have personal experience with as well. I have had to overcome feelings of depression, anxiety and grief related to living with family members with medical conditions. I remember very intensely how that felt and the effort it took to move past and heal from those feelings. It was hard work but I was able to break free! During your treatment, I will not only have professional knowledge to offer you, but I will also have the value of personal experience that resulted in success. I am looking forward to helping you achieve your goals!