Family Therapy in Calcasieu Parish, LA

I provide an accepting, non-judgmental environment for those seeking help and understanding for the struggles that life brings us. I provide forensic counseling services in the form of child custody evaluations, parenting coordination, court ordered counseling, and divorce counseling. I also work with adults and children who have concerns regarding severe mental illness and dual diagnosis (addiction and a mental illness). Those with anxiety conditions, depression, and adjustment disorders are also welcome in my practice.

I combine person-centered, reality therapy, and emotion-focused theories in my individual practice. In marriage/couples therapy, I employ the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy. I highly value the therapeutic relationship, emphasizing rapport-building and supporting clients in developing their potential. I believe in the resilience of the human spirit and promote my clients' power of choice when facing challenges. I aim to enhance introspection, reflection, and self-awareness, empowering clients to navigate their past, present, and future with hope and empowerment despite life's trials.

Life can be overwhelming, especially right now. Whether you're facing a recent loss, trying to recover from Hurricane Laura, facing challenges in relationships, finances, family or career; or maybe you just need a little encouragement, Lake Area Counseling is here for you. We don't believe in band-aids, cover-ups, denial of problems, or making excuses for ourselves or others. We shoot straight, focus on creative problem solving, and finding real solutions. We know the pain of past trauma, but we don't stay there. We believe in moving forward.

As a certified trauma professional, I am able to help individuals and families navigate life transitions and challenges. I am competent in adoption coaching and therapy for all stages with pre and post adoption. I am passionate in helping clients identify barriers in their functioning to help in creating growth. Helping clients grow in their coping skills and education of how life events can change our thought patterns, behavioral reactions, and and emotional responses. I am committed to the holistic approach and helping you become the version of yourself or your family. We can not change the past but grow our future.

Do you ever think you are the only one who hasn't gotten their life together yet? The truth is we ALL experience difficult and stressful life stuff at times. Life can be really tough. We all carry pain that is often exacerbated by new relationships and situations: psychological, emotional, and spiritual pain. If you have tried to "figure it out" on your own for too long, like so many of us think we must, and would like a relatable professional to work with you toward healing and growth, I would appreciate the opportunity and privilege to work with you on your journey toward a healthier, happier you. It's ok to need some help.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience, Licensed in both Louisiana and Texas. A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a Master's of Science in Social Work, I work with adolescents, adults, seniors, seeing individuals, couples, and families. I have particular interest in all areas of mental health, including grief, loss, trauma, eating disorders, domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and parenting issues. I am a Certified Mediator and have a Certification in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). In my free time, I enjoy working with my three pet therapy dogs.

I am passionate about helping clients to be more in the here and now (mindfulness), develop self-compassion, create healthy boundaries, make sense of their emotions and pain, and create a meaningful life. In my practice, I offer individual therapy and support for adults and adolescents struggling with a variety of challenges. From perinatal mental health, anxiety, depression, family/relationship issues, adult children of mentally ill/narcissistic parents, people pleasing and codependency, career stress, self-esteem issues, life transitions, school and behavioral issues or body image, I am here to help you through it.

Hi If you are a person looking for help with Relationships, Marriage, Addiction, Depression or Anxiety and you are ready and willing to do the work I would like to help you. If you have decided you want something different and better, I would like to help you. If you have decided you want to find happiness within and be your best self, I would like to help you. The reward of a happier, more fulfilling life at the end of this journey far outweighs your struggles and the work it takes to become your best self. I want to reassure you that people do heal and I want to assist you in creating your success story.

Hello! I would like to help you create the story for your life that you prefer. We can work to alleviate depression, anxiety, relational challenges, trauma, and any other challenges that prevent you from moving forward and reaching your goals. I believe that it takes lots of strength to reach out for assistance, and you have everything needed within to overcome these challenges. I am here to collaborate with you, the expert of your experience, to create the story that will enhance your life.

Choosing to connect with a therapist can be a difficult decision to make. I am proud of you for making it this far! My professional experience has consisted of working with individuals who experience depression, anxiety, difficult life transitions, perinatal mental health (a focus on mental health and all things pregnancy related), grief/loss, self-care (caring for yourself, setting health boundaries), and family systems (family conflict, learning who you are in your family system etc.). If you are looking to process your challenges, and learn healthy tools to address them, I am excited to be one of your resources.

Everyone, including me, goes through tough seasons! From feelings of fear & sadness to an overall dissatisfaction with life, we’ve all been there. Whether you're a young person trying to overcome social stressors or prepping to transition to or from college or the workforce, our care and coaching can help you achieve success from the inside-out. In addition, I can also help the entire family navigate through teen years, and strengthen family bond. Lastly, I can help to bring couples closer than ever before. Couples gain skills that garner success from the dating & pre-marital stages to the "empty-nest” stage.

I believe counseling is a collaborative process comprised of empathy, trust, and respect. My goal is to listen and guide clients toward their personal success. I prioritize creating a safe, trusting environment to help a client feel comfortable talking to me about his or her unique experiences. Using an integrative and trauma-informed approach, I meet clients where they are to create measurable goals and teach valuable coping skills to improve their daily life. I have worked with many clients dealing with trauma, sexual and physical abuse, difficult relationships, life transitions, and stress.

I enjoy working with clients of all ages. I specialize in working on depression, anxiety, and trauma. Everyone needs a little help and comforting at least once in their lifetime. Many of us need someone to confide in on several occasions. Whether it's just you, or you and your loved ones, there are always ways to work things out. No problem is unsolvable. Call or text to make an appointment. We, together, can work it out.

Clients come to see me when they feel stuck, unsure how to proceed, or how to move to that next level; when they need empathy and compassion but also a clear plan on how to resolve the presenting conflict/issue. Clients will explore different perspectives and come up with new insights and ideas. They will feel empowered. I am deeply committed to my own professional growth, constantly seeking opportunities for learning and development, to ensure that I bring the latest insights and techniques to my practice and provide the most effective support for my clients.

I work with clients with a variety of issues. I find that most of the time, people seek help because they realize that their life is just not where they want it to be, and they realize that there is something more. I help clients deal with the things that they feel are holding them back, whether it be circumstances, history, or things they believe about themselves. Please copy and paste this link to learn more about my organization: https://www.paperturn-view.com/us/salt-and-light-collaborative/salt-and-light-information-book-2?pid=MTQ146114

It’s a joy to assist clients during life’s challenges and provide support as they learn new strategies to stop unwanted, repeated patterns. Clients may present with many concerns and seek symptom relief as well as greater understanding of self/others. Some clients want to improve communication, relationships and life skills. Some clients I have worked with have anxiety/depression, relationship issues, anger/stress management, grief, abuse/trauma, PTSD, self-harm and pregnancy loss. Clients obtaining desired outcomes are those ready and willing to complete the work associated with introspection and personal growth.

In a society heavily influenced by opinions, it can be hard to distinguish reality in our daily lives. Navigating through difficult situations becomes a greater challenge while also trying to discover your purpose and self-worth. I believe that therapy requires a holistic approach which aims to improve the mental, physical, social and spiritual health of every person I encounter.

We have all experienced things that have left us feeling less-than, left us with wounds that struggle to heal, and have impacted how we live our lives. These experiences come from our childhood, the stress in our day-to-day lives, or even how we process the world around us. As a result of these hurts we often experience struggles in relationships with others, our own self-esteem, and our ability to handle life in healthy ways.

It's never too late or... too early to be whoever you want to be. - F. Scott Fitzgerald - Change happens whether we want it or not. In my work I am driven to empower clients to embrace change.