Our counselors provide therapy in Chesapeake, VA

My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is CBT/DBT/narrative therapy. I find the best benefit in these techniques because they assist the client with understanding their thought patterns, focusing on positives, and separating themselves from their problem which empowers them to achieve their life goals.

My focus in individual therapy is uncovering that which restores empowerment. I find this approach to be beneficial because it establishes a sense of hope and provides opportunities for personal accomplishments.

I teach the following tools in individual therapy:

• Circle of control: Assist with understanding your worry and the source of your stress.
• Cognitive distortions: Assist with decreasing negative thinking patterns and improve overall self-esteem.
• Self-love: Learning how to set boundaries and improve self-worth, self-confidence, and overall self-esteem.
• Coping skills: Learn how to manage your mental health with healthy outlets.
• Grief process: Understanding the source of your sadness and making peace with loss.
• Impulse control techniques: Assist with random outbursts, fidgeting, and hyperactivity to assist you with increasing focus.
• Time management skills: Assist you with getting out of your own way and understanding how to set reasonable expectations.
• Stress management: Assist you with understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy stress and how to apply coping strategies to manage increased stress.
• Anger management: Understanding the true source of your anger and identifying ways to manage your anger in a healthy way.

The tools I teach in therapy (online sessions included) are DBT and CBT tools that encourage self-regulation, emotional support, mindfulness, coping strategies, reflective skills, relaxation techniques, and exploration of different thought perspectives to achieve goals. I also offer psychoeducation to provide an understanding of the diagnosis. I also utilize motivational interviewing to build upon strengths and improve self-confidence, independence, and emotional wellness. I also utilize bibliotherapy as needed, to provide opportunities for support and motivation from literature and experts in the areas of need.

I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when they begin accomplishing their goals, engaging more in society, and appearing genuinely at peace with life.

I know a client is making progress when they are able to meet goals established in the treatment plan, recognize their achievements, and experience confidence and a sense of independence as they utilize the tools shared in sessions.

Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by engaging in therapeutic assigned tasks and/or engaging in self-care for at least 10-15 minutes daily.

I emphasize holistic self-care as a supplement that is necessary to enhance individual therapy sessions. This provides opportunities for well-rounded wellness.

To prepare for your first individual therapy session, you can reflect on goals that you would like to achieve through therapy.

To prepare for individual therapy, I encourage clients to begin to reflect on presenting issues with nonjudgment, attempt to gain clarity with goals, and remain open to the possibilities of transformation and healing.