“The healthiest people are sitting in my office”. -Sharon Wilkening
About the Practice
Everyone struggles at some point in time in their lives. Acknowledging this to another person can be incredibly difficult yet, freeing. True strength is in recognizing our faults (because we all have them.....yes we do) and working to change them. That is why I say the healthiest people are sitting in my office.
The healthiest people are those who can acknowledge that they can't do it alone. Sometimes we need to trust in other people to guide us and give us perspective. It can be a challenge to open up to friends and loved ones for fear of judgement or rejection. Although there is incredible strength in showing vulnerability, it is also terrifying and unknown. Engaging with someone outside of your immediate circle can offer a different perspective free from judgment and biases. Change is overwhelming for many and very uncomfortable. Distress, discomfort, and chaos can often be comfortable. Not good, but comfortable and known. It is difficult to take that first step outside of our comfort zone because we don't know what is on the other side. However, when we are unhappy with our current circumstances, change is necessary to influence that dynamic. If we are uncomfortable during the process of change, that means you are doing something right! That means PROGRESS! We tend to think of change being one swift movement or major life event. However, most change happens slowly over time as we inch in a certain direction or towards a certain goal. Like the snail extending and retracting, making its way across a surface. Most of the time we forget to enjoy those small inches forward because we also have to retract in the stretch to make progress forward. It is in those retractions that we need to have the ability to sit still and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after the stretch. I have over 16 years of experience working with depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, trauma, domestic violence, mental health and substance use disorder advocacy, and premarital/marital counseling. I work with individuals and couples using cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, strength-based, and solutions-focused techniques. I also have experience working with professional boards. Each client has a unique treatment plan suited for their needs and identified goals. It can sometimes be difficult to find the right therapist. The therapeutic relationship is vital to the success of treatment. If I am not the right fit, I will find you a therapist that is the right fit for you. |
Free Phone ConsultationTaking the first step can be the hardest thing to do. It takes an incredible amount of strength and vulnerability to pick up the phone and ask for help. We are here to help you decide how a therapist might be able to help. Finding the right fit with a therapist is integral to the experience you will have as well as the progress you will make. Trust and rapport are primary aspects of that relationship. If we are not the right fit for you, we will help you find the right therapist to meet your needs.
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Individual therapy
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Premarital/Marital counselingMost of us spend a lot of time taking the time to care of our home, our work, and our cars. We often forget the most important aspect of our lives and that is our relationships. You don't have to wait until things are bad to seek out couples counseling. In fact, learning how to communicate effectively before things get bad can improve your quality of life significantly.
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