Hi, I'm Courtney, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I have seven years experience as a mental health therapist in community mental health, foster care, and inpatient treatment, working with adults, adolescents, and children.
I truly enjoy connecting with clients in individual, couple, and family sessions and witnessing the strength and power of the human spirit. I have a deep respect for the challenges humans encounter on a daily basis. We are complex, interconnected, interdependent creatures. Treating mental health challenges cannot be isolated to only talking about thoughts and feelings. The body and mind are connected and I often incorporate exploration of somatic, or physical, experiences to help individuals strengthen their ability to respond to their needs and, by extension, be more present for those in their families and communities.
I believe that form dictates function. I like to help clients explore both their internal and external environments, identify the spaces, habits, and practices with a high return on investment for wellbeing, and focus attention there. I delight in teaching clients to embrace their brain's ability to adapt and change, and how one can reshape the brain’s response to triggers utilizing mind-body connective techniques backed by scientific research. While you can't engineer happiness, you can build a satisfying, abundant life using only what you have to hand.
I approach sessions with compassion, curiosity, and humor. I draw on a diverse set of therapeutic approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), polyvagal mapping, and mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR). I specialize in addressing challenges experienced by those identified as having depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic stress, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I am honored to hold space with you through your struggles and triumphs, and I am so glad you're here.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia in English and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. I spent seven years as a consultant in the Defense technology and intelligence industries before pursuing my passion for neuroscience and social development as a clinical social worker. I love my job. When I’m not at work, you can find me making a mess in my kitchen and garden, or on my yoga mat.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fertility Issues, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Postpartum Depression, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
VA LCSW 0904011357