Welcome. It is a privilege for me to help you along your way on this journey of being human. I am a strength-based therapist who can offer you support and resources to meet your personal needs, deal with problems, navigate life transitions, and grow in positive directions.
I can work safely with you to help you manage stress by prioritizing what is meaningful to you and learning how to access your own inner calm. You can start feeling better with this brief approach; however, optimum or more sustainable growth usually involves making a commitment to heal your relationship to your past so that you can more fully be alive in the present. I will educate you about new treatments and support you in your therapy goals.
I am a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, licensed in the state of Florida since 2013. I worked at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. My patients were diverse with all kinds of cancers, including blood and bone cancers, female and male reproductive cancers, pancreatic, lung, so forth. Most of my time was in the Women’s Clinic and the Pain Clinic. In addition to direct patient support, I worked with families and children whose parents were ill.
Highly Sensitive Personality Trait (HSP): I have additional training and am experienced with supporting stress management and insight in clients who are highly sensitive. [See research done by Dr. Elaine Aron: http://hsperson.com]. Most of my clients self-identify as “sensitive.” I enjoy helping persons with a Highly Sensitive Personality (HSP) trait who value their gifts and manage the challenges of trait-related states, such as sensory or emotional overloads. Learn to honor your sensitive ways. Then, if you seek expansive growth and actualization, let’s collaborate to increase your self-acceptance and ease while you take the steps to embody your life’s vision.
My focus is primarily on adjustment to illness, making meaning of adversity, and life transitions involving loss, grief, and bereavement. The aim of my practice is to instill hope and support you while you
- Uncover your unique Gifts & Wellness resources. Clarify Personal Values. Make Meaning.
- Grieve Loss of all kinds – Pet Loss, Pregnancy Loss, Life Transitions, Moves, Job Loss, Heartbreak, Innocence.
- Thrive as a Healthy Sensitive or Empath. Balance excesses – Overwhelmed, over responsibility, over giving.
- Learn the importance of Feelings & Intuition. Discern your Energy from the energy of other people or places.
- Explore Temperament, Personality, and Spirituality through the Enneagram.
- Discover Your Place in the Life Cycle. Honor your Choices. Allow for Change. Make peace with Uncertainty.
- Cope with Illness or Caregiving. Review your Life. Prepare to Die.
- Move Through Depression. Handle Anxiety and Worry. Free up your Decision-Making Process. Manage Stress.
- Address Maladaptive Mental and Emotional Habits, including Procrastination or Perfectionism.
- Acknowledge impact of Unhealthy Habit Energy e.g. phones, plans, foods. Learn how to Sustain Healthy Choices.
- Create Life Balance. Deal with Workplace Stress, Co-workers, and Bullies.
- Develop Self Compassion, Worth, Esteem. Maintain Healthy Boundaries. Support your Inner Child.
- Heal from Abandonment issues. Come more fully into the Present Moment. Assess Character & Trustworthiness.
- Enhance ability to Connect with others & to Be On Your Own. Improve Relationships. Peacefully Parent.
- Assess your Strengths. Listen to your Dreams. Explore Staying or Leaving toxic workplaces or relationships.
People heal in different ways. In a typical therapy session, my focus is on being present with you, witnessing your story, teaching spaciousness of thought, encouraging emotional expression, and supporting healthy, accountable behaviors. I believe that each person is doing the best he or she can at any moment to try and meet basic needs for safety, security, affection, belonging, support, esteem, dignity, meaning and purpose. Let’s find what works for you to heal. We might try conventional or alternative treatment approaches to best serve your needs, values, and preferences.
My training includes evidence-based virtual EMDR (EMDR Level II), Grief Recovery Method, and Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. As a trauma-informed therapist, I will educate you about trauma treatment options, when relevant, and, if indicated, might provide EMDR or refer out to trusted colleagues.
People heal within relationships, including the therapy relationship. The focus of therapy is on you. Although the positive regard of therapy can feel like friendship, it is not. It is a relationship of care that supports your choices for growth and transformation. I occasionally self disclose if I feel a piece of my story can benefit your inner work by linking normal experiences to common humanity and removing shame. Sometimes new clients want to know a little bit about me.
When I’m not working with clients or engaged in continued education for my therapy practice, I enjoy a balance of solitary activities (walking in nature, reading, writing, and yoga) and social time with friends and family (sharing a meal, attending cultural events, participating in T’ai Chi classes, or watching movies together). I have a daily Mindfulness meditation practice. Healthy living is high on my values list. Browsing in used bookstores and libraries are fun activities for me. I enjoy the authentic joy of children, especially my own grandchildren.
My practice is exclusively tele-health.
ACCEPTS VIRTUAL CLIENTS
813 297 5627
[email protected]
http://leighcounseling.weebly.com
Florida
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