Women’s Issues
Women's issues refers to any concern that might impact a woman’s mental and emotional health and wellbeing. These concerns might be related to gender stereotyping or concerns related to women's physical health, but they are likely to include other challenges faced by women that have nothing to do with gender. Women may experience certain biological, environmental, and psychosocial challenges, and these concerns can have a significant impact on our minds and our bodies. (Miscarriage/marital discord/aging).
Therapy to ease uncertainty about life after years of marriage can help reduce the effects of anxiety, a low mood, stress, and depression. I can help you find your sense of identity, boost your self esteem, explore creative outlets/strengths, identify coping skills and problem solving strategies to confront problems within your life, and reduce overall feelings of loneliness, resentments, and stress.
Trauma
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): Treatment of trauma often depends on the type of trauma and the presenting symptoms. One of the most difficult parts of healing from trauma is actually having to talk about the trauma itself. However, A.R.T. is an evidence-based psychotherapy that fosters rapid recovery by reprogramming how the brain stores traumatic memories and imagery. A.R.T. has roots in and includes elements of existing evidence-based modalities.
The treatment program incorporates memory visualization techniques that are enhanced by the use of horizontal eye movements, as well as memory reconsolidation, a way in which new information is incorporated into existing memories. This approach provides effective relief from the strong physical and emotional reactions associated with post-traumatic stress (PTSD), trauma, anxiety, depression, and performance.
An evidence-based therapy, A.R.T. is reimbursable as a medical condition and is used at hospitals, private practices, and in other institutions that treat mental and behavioral health. AR.T. has also been adopted by the military as their most widely used and recommended trauma treatment. ART is a manualized therapy with specific techniques and protocols to use with different problems; whether the problem is trauma from sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, or smoking cessation. Accelerated Resolution Therapy
TF-CBT: I am also trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior therapy. With TF-CBT, interventions are specifically tailored to meet the needs of children and adolescents experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties as a result of trauma. TF-CBT is integrated with humanistic, cognitive behavioral, and familial strategies.
Girls, Tweens, & Teens
Teen girls live in a complicated, contradictory, and media-saturated world, and the paths they must navigate extend beyond their physical bodies and minds. Some of these issues include: discovering a unique identity, taking on aspects of adulthood while leaving aspects of childhood behind, and developing independence while maintaining healthy communication, safety, and family bonds. Girls often need help recognizing their own skills and strengths, identifying influences that are shaping them, and learning to make logical and safe decisions.
I have extensive experience working with young girls on the topics of body image, self esteem, peer pressure, life transitions, and academic, athletic, extracurricular, and social pressures. Within my practicum at The Lucy Cross Center, I provided expertise, counseling, and group therapy to young adult women targeting self-compassion and a variety of topics.
Expressive, Meditative, & Holistic Therapies
Expressive therapies can involve the use of art, music, medication, creative writing, and more. These approaches reach beyond words to transform feelings and emotions that are deeply felt, but difficult to express in words. I can provide psychoeducation and practice around grounding techniques, daily and nightly behavioral coping skills, and mindfulness techniques to alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms, thought rumination, and stress due to career, family dynamics, or relational/social issues.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: I have been trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) which is an eight-week program that assists individuals who want to use their own internal resources to respond more skillfully to stress. Willow can provide a variety of mindfulness, grounding, meditative skills, and healthy coping mechanisms. Willow also provides calming meditations to help clients’ alleviate symptoms of anxiety, thought rumination, and overwhelming stress from their daily lives.