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Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Birmingham
With life transitions of moving several states away and changing career paths, I have the ability to connect with those who are ma...
About
With life transitions of moving several states away and changing career paths, I have the ability to connect with those who are making similar life changes.
Jerusha McClendon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked with many people experiencing mental health and addiction personally or in their family. Jerusha has 8 years of experience in the mental health field. She completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Ohio State University.
Jerusha believes there is a need to identify and understand where the seeds of doubt and fear come from, as well as how to connect with the seeds of hope and purpose in the present and the future. Her job is to facilitate the conversation and allow clients to gain insight into their condition and develop an action plan to change their lives.
Jerusha’s superpowers include listening empathetically, relating easily to others, and critical thinking. She believes that all people have purpose in life, and she wants to explore that purpose with clients. Additionally, she strives to create a safe place in therapy so vulnerability can be examined and gains made. Therapy is a change process. Join Jerusha in this change process so that you can be a changemaker in your life and spread that change to others in your inner circle.
Education and training
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As someone whose life was changed by a therapist during my teenage years and who proudly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ comm...
As someone whose life was changed by a therapist during my teenage years and who proudly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am committed to offering others the same life-affirming support and understanding.
I am a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) with 11 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in helping adolescents and adults navigate depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. My passion for this work began after a therapist supported me during a difficult time in my teenage years, and I have dedicated my career to offering that same hope and healing to others.
I earned my Master of Social Work from Alabama A&M University. My approach includes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and person-centered therapy. I am trained in EMDR and use it to help clients process trauma and other distressing experiences.
I work best with clients who are open to growth and ready to explore change in a supportive space. Whether you are seeking relief, clarity, or transformation, I will meet you where you are and help you build the tools needed to improve your overall well-being.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
Our go-to approach for helping people with online therapy is to establish rapport and identify needs to develop a treatment plan with the client. This will benefit the client in learning about the process and feeling comfortable there.
We focus on developing coping skills that utilize the individual's strengths identified in treatment.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in implementing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) when they express improvement in managing and tolerating their emotions.
Clients can supplement their time by:
Clients can prepare for their first session by being open about their experiences without the fear of being judged.
At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Birmingham, AL is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Birmingham is located near the intersection of Office Park Dr and US-280, off Montgomery Parkway. It is close to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and right by Union Hill Cemetery. The office is in a multi-story brick building that's part of a larger complex; enter through the 400 Building doors to access Suite 308.
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