Our counselors provide therapy in Richmond, VA

My go-to approach in individual therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy with added layers of mindfulness. I work with individuals to develop insight and awareness into their own patterns and habits in order to make more intentional decisions about how they handle their day-to-day stressors and relationships. I find this approach beneficial because we can never change anything unless we realize that it's happening, so awareness is always the first step.

I tend to teach skills related to the identification of cognitive distortions, a wide variety of mindfulness strategies, identification and alignment with personal values, setting effective goals, education and strategies around emotional regulation, and effective communication skills.

I know when a client is making progress in therapy because they start to report back noticing their habits, patterns, and behaviors from a new perspective. They discuss the realization of how underlying concepts play out in their day-to-day relationships, as well as their perceptions of their own stressors.

In their personal time, I always encourage clients to absorb recommended content that best matches their learning style: books, audiobooks, podcasts, YouTube, handouts, etc. I also encourage clients to reflect actively on the discussion from sessions, including through journaling.

To prepare for your first session, it is helpful to come in with an open mind and a willingness to be honest. The more open a person is willing to be, the more helpful therapy can be. If you already have an idea of what you want to work on, great! If not, that will be part of what the first session can help identify. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions.