Adolescents – ages 15 -17
Adults – ages 18 and beyond

Motivational Speaker available to middle schools, high school groups, and churches.
Topics include, but not limited to:

Are Anxiety And Depression Holding You Back?

Are you constantly on edge or worried about not adding up or being good enough? Do you lack a solid connection to the people you love or feel detached from the world and those around you? Perhaps you’re always exhausted, have difficulty sleeping, or just feel numb toward everyone and everything—but you don’t know why. On the other hand, it may be that your mind is in overdrive and you can’t relax or focus on anything but your racing heart and a feeling of dread and panic.

Knowing how to handle intense and often confusing emotions can be a challenge. You may be having trouble engaging with friends, tolerating stress, or finding joy and purpose in life. You could be questioning your ability to be a good mother, have a successful career, or simply manage life with confidence. If you are the parent of a teenager or adolescent, you may be worried about their ability to navigate self-esteem issues, bullying, or their need for individuality and (self-)acceptance.

Anxiety and depression can take you away from who you are, making you feel stuck and powerless to control your future. But there is a way forward. With my guidance and support, you can learn to be happier, more confident, and at greater peace with yourself and the world you live in.

Anxiety And Depression Are Global Health Concerns

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 300 million adults and children worldwide suffer from some form of depression. And in the United States alone, the National Institute for Mental Health estimates that over 30 percent of all US adults will experience some form of an anxiety disorder within their lifetimes.

But why are anxiety and depression so common?

A large part of the way we feel about life and who we are is nourished by our connection to ourselves and others. Unfortunately, we live in a highly competitive culture that makes us so preoccupied with “getting it done” that we lose touch with ourselves and the world around us. Technology isolates us, so we end up internalizing fears and insecurities—something that is particularly harmful to and prevalent in adolescents and teenagers. And social media has become a place where we compare our lives to the snapshots and highlight reels of other peoples’ adventures. All of these factors have the power to take you out of the moment and put you in a place of stress or despair.

Trying to tackle anxiety and depression alone can be difficult because none of us were born knowing how to change thought patterns. We don’t know how to gain new perspectives so we can look at ourselves and the challenges we face through a clearer lens. To the contrary, we are creatures of habit. And when we run into setbacks that confirm negative beliefs about ourselves, we can get stuck in a cycle of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors.

However, working with a mental health counselor can give you a fresh perspective and support as we meet your challenges together. With the tools and knowledge you’ll gain, you can take control of your life and break free of the limitations that anxiety and depression place on you.

Therapy For Anxiety And Depression Can Help You Find Purpose And Meaning 

Therapy provides a space that gives you permission to work on the challenges you face without fear of judgment. It gives you a place to open your horizons, to gain new perspectives that can provide hope and resilience. Over time, you can feel better, have more energy, start new relationships, and enjoy the small things in life.

I like to think of my office as a warm, home-like environment in which you can feel comfortable exploring the challenges you are trying to overcome. During our sessions, we can discuss your major concerns, feelings, opinions, and hopes for therapy while developing a structured plan to help you reach those goals. We’ll also identify negative thought patterns and self-perceptions—as well as factors that may have contributed to those beliefs—and transform them into something that gives you confidence and clarity.

I consider myself to be very person-oriented. I want to create a warm, lighthearted, sometimes, even humorous environment in which I can get to know you—to meet you where you are and understand what you need to be healthy and happy. My approach to healing is also solution-focused with an emphasis on changing the way you see yourself and the problems you are confronted with.

I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a therapy model that is predicated on the fact that the rules we live by and the expectations we have are based on the thoughts and perspectives we adopt throughout life. Unfortunately, sometimes, those personal interpretations limit us from seeing the big picture, causing us anxiety, stress, isolation, low self-esteem, and a host of other issues.

CBT is about challenging beliefs that may not be accurate, so you can broaden your perceptions about yourself and the world you live in. To that end, we may work with journaling or freewriting to track your worries or identify unhelpful thought patterns. We can also use the office to experiment with different responses to situations that cause distress so you are equipped to manage stressors in the real world.

As a redhead who grew up being bullied, feeling like I didn’t fit into this world anywhere, I understand what it’s like to be sad and alone. I too struggled with depression and anxiety, and I know firsthand just how powerful CBT can be for healing and transforming peoples’ lives. After working 30 years in the public school system, 15 of which as a school counselor, I also know just how important positive mental health is. With the right help, you can take an active role in finding greater meaning and purpose in life.

Perhaps you are considering therapy for anxiety and depression but still have some concerns…

I’m embarrassed to ask for help.

Our society places a false and ultimately harmful emphasis on self-reliance that prevents millions of people from seeking treatment every single day. You would go to a doctor if you were injured, and you would ask your family or friends for help if you were sick. Why not ask for a professional’s help—someone who can give you impartial yet compassionate support—as you seek to become a more complete version of yourself?

I’m worried about the financial cost.

I understand that having the resources to afford proper medical care is a challenge that many people face, which is why I work with insurers to make sure my clients get the care they need. If you are dealing with anxiety or depression, the overwhelming stress or sadness is likely affecting your work performance, relationships, goals and aspirations, as well as your physical health. So, getting help now, no matter the cost, can benefit you long into the future.

I don’t think I can make the time for anxiety and depression counseling.

Part of the reason why so many of us are in this predicament is that we simply don’t have the time to care for ourselves. Whether it’s the demands of work, school, or family responsibilities, it seems our lives are naturally set against us. But just imagine a life where you could do the things you love and interact with people with confidence and joy. Once you take the time to really look at your thoughts and alter the way you see yourself, you can begin to change the world around you.

Begin Your Journey Toward Freedom

If you would like to stop the cycle of fear, self-doubt, and loneliness, please call for your free 15-minute consultation. Or you can click here to email me any questions you may have about my practice or approach to anxiety and depression therapy.