Approach
What is an LCSW?
There is as much variety in kinds of therapists as there are kinds of musicians.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I received my Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2002. This license is very similar to a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Psychologist (PsyD, PhD), but there are also some differences. A psychologist can also often provide psychometric testing and may be involved in research to further the field of mental health. An LMFT often has specialized experience working with family systems and couples. That said, there is much crossover between these and more (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC, etc.). It all depends really on the individual therapist and how they further their experience and education after school. Many of us, no matter our type of license, train and read constantly to learn about what our clients most need. This allows us to provide the best possible care to our clients.
The field of clinical social work has an important focus on “the person in their environment”. As an LCSW, this means that instead of just seeing a set of mental health symptoms as problems solely in the person or their brain, I am trained as an LCSW to consider how they may have arisen or been exacerbated by their life experiences, family systems, community, culture, sexism, racism, - all ‘isms -, the workplace, traumatic events, and anything else important to them.
I don’t believe in thinking of myself as ‘the expert’ and you as the ‘patient’. We all struggle with the things life throws at us and many of us carry wounds that are triggered from time to time. We all also have a deep sense of knowing, a compass made up of our values that guide our actions in hard times and help us heal. I enter this partnership with you as someone who benefits from therapy myself.
Some of the things we might try are listed below. I give a general sense of each method but it would be understandable for you to still have a lot of questions after reading through. Together, in session, we will puzzle out exactly what each entails and whether it could be helpful to you. As a team, you and I will explore which strategies resonate the most with you to help you move forward.
ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
I love ACT. ACT skills help people to develop psychological flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and to persist in the face of difficulty. ACT is an especially powerful form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that can be made to fit you, your personality and your unique struggles. ACT is based on the understanding that psychological suffering is often caused by trying to control or change things that are beyond our control, and by getting caught up in our thoughts and feelings in a way that prevents us from taking effective action toward the life we want to live.
EMDR
Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
EMDR is a process whereby traumatic events are reprocessed by taxing the working memory using eye movements. It is an effective way to help our thinking/planning/controlling mind make room so that the brain can creatively develop new insights and put the past firmly in the past. The event remains a memory, but without the physical and/or emotional flashbacks that can disrupt present day living. Clients are then better able to recognize the patterns and triggers that perpetuate their struggles, allowing them to mindfully choose values-led responses to challenges rather than reacting automatically. Through this process, clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their strengths, and their capacity for growth.
IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS is a powerful, evidenced-based strategy that has helped my clients connect to the many parts of themselves that make up the whole of who they are. IFS can help you to develop a compassionate understanding of why you do what you do and feel how you feel. IFS can help us create new ways of treating ourselves and living our lives from a place of respect and also loving accountability. It's sort of like learning how to become the leader of an effective inner team (you, and all your different facets) to come up with creative solutions to life situations.
Relationships
Therapy also extends to relationships with others. In our work together, we will explore how patterns impact your interactions with your children, parents, family members, friends, and colleagues. By understanding your own dynamics, you can cultivate relationships built on mutual respect, a values-based approach to conflict, understanding, and compassion.
This may also look like practicing healthy boundaries with loved ones who cause pain, or leaving relationships that are abusive.
Online Therapy
I live and work in Sacramento, California. My clients live all over the state of California.
I have found that meeting virtually can be a great fit for many people. When I first made this shift in my practice when COVID forced in-person interactions to halt, I was doubtful. I did not expect video chat to be an effective way to help people through difficult times.
I was surprised and relieved to find that it worked well for many people for the following reasons:
Convenience and time-saving:
For many clients with busy schedules or those living in areas with long commute times, video meetings made it possible to attend therapy sessions more consistently.
Warm and personal connections:
Contrary to my expectations, I discovered that video chat can foster warm and deeply connected collaborative relationships between clients and therapists. In some ways, it can even be more personal than in-person sessions. Some clients feel more at ease and comfortable in their own environment, allowing them to be more open and authentic. Additionally, clients are not pressured to dress formally, enabling them to come to sessions as themselves.
Involvement of significant others:
Another advantage of video therapy is that clients can easily introduce me to important people in their lives, such as their pets, when appropriate. This can provide valuable insights into their relationships and help me better understand their perspectives.
Continued success and potential expansion:
Based on the positive experiences with video therapy, I have decided to continue offering it beyond the pandemic. I recognize that it may not be suitable for everyone, but I believe it can be an effective and convenient option for many individuals seeking therapy. As technology evolves, I am exploring additional ways to enhance the virtual therapy experience, such as incorporating interactive tools and resources.
There are strange aspects to meeting only through video chat:
Video chat can create a unique and sometimes strange dynamic in therapy sessions. One of the most striking aspects is that the therapist and client may never have seen each other in person. This can lead to a number of unexpected challenges and opportunities.
For example, the therapist and client may not know how tall each other is or what their body language fully looks like. The lack of physical presence can make it difficult to provide certain types of support, such as a hug or a handshake. A client may feel disconnected from their therapist because they cannot see their whole body or experience their physical presence.
The strange aspects of video chat can create a unique and sometimes challenging dynamic in therapy sessions. However, with careful attention and sensitivity, therapists and clients can work together to overcome these challenges and create a meaningful therapeutic relationship.
