My approach to counseling
For many of us, it takes incredible courage to discuss matters we have perhaps never shared with another person. I have tremendous respect for this fact and strongly believe in creating an interpersonal environment that is safe, confidential, and trusting. I want our work together to be authentic or real, so I prioritize understanding your world as you experience it, as ultimately my role is to work with you to find solutions to your goals that work for YOU.
I have experience working with a breadth of concerns, including anxiety, bereavement, depression, identity, existential concerns, stress, and other mental health concerns, as well as with concerns that may not rise to the level of “disorder” but may create challenges just the same. I am also experienced working with LGTBQIA+ persons as well as with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
I practice from a person-centered perspective and utilize elements from a variety of evidence-based approaches but mostly come off as patient, caring, and interested.
Location
My office is located at Harmony Healing & Wellness, 2746 State Highway 68, just outside of Canton, NY. Coming from the Canton area, you’ll drive past SUNY Canton, turning right as though you were going to the Canton Animal Clinic, then continue straight, quite literally going past the pond and willow trees, to arrive at the warm, red building that is Harmony. I’ll be pleased to meet you!
What to expect at our first meeting
After that scenic drive past the pond and the willows, I’ll welcome you and ask that you fill out a confidential form with some information about yourself and your reason for coming in. This is so helpful in getting us started that I will take a few minutes to look it over, during which time I’ll give you a document to look over that explains my policies, which I hope will be similarly helpful. After this brief aside we’ll chat about the information we both shared and start to decide how I can be of the most help to you. Sometimes it’s difficult to put things into words, so please don’t feel any pressure to make a “case presentation” if that isn’t your style. Part of my role is to assist you in putting words to your experience and it’s alright if it takes some time.
Rates
No mysteries here! My rate is $85 for an industry-standard 50 minute session, due at the time of service.
Payment at the time of service has the added benefit of focusing our efforts, as there is a tangible exchange of resources.
What to bring
It’s helpful for me to know the names and dosages of any medications you take, jotting those down can be helpful if you have a hard time remembering this information. Sometimes people make a list of things they want to discuss, but this is optional.
About Me
I am licensed as a Mental Health Counselor by the State of New York and am experienced in counseling/psychotherapy with adolescents and adults. I have a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh, whose program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and where I was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. I earned my undergraduate Psychology degree at SUNY Potsdam.
During and after my graduate training I worked in university mental health, which provided invaluable experience working with a culturally diverse clientele, representing a broad spectrum of persons and concerns. During this time I co-authored a chapter on gender-aware counseling with men in the Apple Academic Press book “The Ethics of Cultural Competence” with Dr. Bev Burnell, Ph. D. I also I also completed post-masters research work on a joint McGill University-SUNY Plattsburgh research team examining social transitioning of immigrants into Canada, contributing to presentations at McGill University and the 2014 Canadian Psychological Association Convention
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