Specialties
What IS a specialty?
It means the therapist has quite a bit of experience with this particular issue and/or has continued to educate themselves with reading, consultation, continuing education and/or supervision as to best treatment approaches. I can’t help but think of you reading this list, and maybe thinking to yourself, “Oh, wow- turns out I have a specialty!” That’s right, the other side of the therapist’s specialty is that you are living it! Life handed you a specialty of experience in something you never signed up for. Maybe you can see a struggle as an open door, as a specialty in life experience… turn the page on it managing you and step into the leadership space.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be both physical and mental. Do you find yourself reviewing every conversation you had the last week wondering why you didn’t respond differently? Do you wake up worrying about everything and anything that might but probably won’t happen 5 years from now? In therapy, you can quiet the noise and re-direct all that energy to the things you actually want to be doing, right now… reducing anxiety helps you live in and enjoy today.
Depression
Falling into a slump can happen with hardship or sometimes just due to family history and predisposition. Depression can easily lead to social withdrawal and low energy, which in turn keeps the depression going and soon you are in a cycle that feels tough to step out of. Depression can feel like going through life with a 50 pound weight on your back. Maybe it is time to get out from under it.
Grief and Loss
If there is one guarantee in life, it is likely this. We are all there at some point. It might involve the passing of dear family member or friend, or it may involve the loss of employment, marriage or other life dreams. Without a path forward, this can become a very lonely place. Don’t go it alone; you have company… there are others on similar journeys. Take this moment to jump into therapy and find your footing.
ADHD
Most families, whether dealing with childhood or adult ADHD, really just need a new skill set and a plan that is going to work for them. Frustration and “we’ve already tried everything” can be the rallying cry of this crowd. Let a therapist help you design the approach that will work for your particular situation and family. The same plan does not work in the same way for everyone. There’s no assembly line approach to life change. The things that have not worked can be informative in designing what will work.
Parenting
Here’s to the original “I left it all on the field” people!! Shout out to all the tired, over worked parents raising the next generation! What works changes with the parenting season and therapy can offer a much needed update in the game plan.
Sprituality
Spirituality is not a specialty of treatment, of course, but it is worth mentioning for other reasons. People who hold their faith in great importance, typically want a therapy experience that takes that into account. Your faith orientation can define the types of issues you may be struggling with as well as point you in the direction of how to best recover. How much faith is integrated into therapy is 100% client driven, but it is a layer of treatment I am familiar with.
Additional Specialties
EMDR Trained
Adjustment to health challenges
My experience in health settings has informed my approach working with people living with new diagnoses, chronic conditions, transitioning into the caretaking role or navigating grief and loss
Significant others dealing with addiction, recovery, or chronic behavioral health issues
My experience with in-patient behavioral health and intensive out-patient programs showed me how important family support is during crisis stabilization and long-term recovery. Family members of people living with addiction and chronic mental health need additional support as they navigate the sometimes confusing balance of love, support and self-care.