• When the way they feel is affecting their sleep, appetite, job, or relationships.
• When things are not getting better. When they can’t find the answers to their problems.
• They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.
• Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function fully from day to day.
• Their actions are harmful to themselves or others. They are troubled by problems facing family members or close friends.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) are professional health care providers with training and expertise in the areas of human behavior and psychological health. Clinical social workers provide mental health services for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders in individuals, families, and groups. Their goal is to enhance and maintain their patients’ physical, psychological, and social function. They must have a master’s or doctorate degree in social work, with an emphasis on clinical experience. In addition, they must undergo a supervised clinical field internship and have at least 3600 hours of postgraduate supervised clinical social work employment.

Each session lasts 50 minutes. The length of treatment depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the issues, the motivation of the individuals involved, and the goals. Brief therapy typically has a more specific goal or issue of focus, and can last from a few weeks to a few months. Longer term or open ended therapy may have more complex issues or concerns and can last up to a year or longer.

In a confidential and safe setting, I help you look objectively at your behaviors, feelings, and thoughts and educate you in ways to deal with different situations. You have the opportunity to explore personal issues with someone who has unique listening skills, and is more neutral than those who are more directly involved with the situation. This leads not only to a deeper understanding of the issues, but also promotes the conditions that make long lasting change possible.Our relationship plays an important and crucial role in treatment. That’s why it’s important to find a therapist who you feel you have a good fit with. A good fit means that you feel heard, understood and accepted. As the trust deepens, this person would be someone you would feel comfortable exploring deeper sources of conflict or pain.

Some health insurance plans pay for a certain number of mental health visits but they may only pay for services provided by in-network providers. Please contact your insurance company (you can find the customer service number on the back of your ID card) to see if I am an in-network behavioral health provider with your behavioral health plan. If not, ask if you have out-of-network benefits that you can utilize.