Obesity Therapists in Clay County, SD

With over 20 years of experience in private practice, I have had the privilege of hearing many life stories, and each one is uniquely personal. I believe that each individual holds their own answers to their life struggles and that we all need a safe person to help us uncover those answers at times. I am proud that my profession has discovered amazing ways to help with the process of relieving symptoms of depression or anxieties that can affect our lives. I value creating a positive, safe environment and look forward to hearing the stories yet to come.

As a therapist I enjoy meeting clients where they are and together designing a plan of action that will put their life in line with their goals. I use a strengths based, solution focused perspective. I help my clients learn tactics of cognitive behavioral therapy that they can use comfortably to obtain desired results in their life. I use a variety of family therapy techniques to help my clients understand relationships within a family. From this analysis, the client can safely explore these subjects and work towards resolution of the issue. I hold a Master's Degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University.

I am passionate about providing access to quality mental health care to all who seek it. I work primarily from a cognitive-behavioral framework; however, I take a collaborative approach with all of my clients and understand that flexibility is important to foster my approach to each of my clients' needs.

I am a Qualified Mental Health Professional, Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Approved Supervisor Status, and National Certified Counselor. I have over 30 years of experience in working with individuals, couples, and families (children, adolescents and adults). I have also provided counseling and education to healthcare professionals, legal professionals, athletes, educational organizations, workplace environments, and community groups.

Although I have specialized in the full spectrum of eating disorders for over 30 years, my passion is working with emotional eating/BED and weight-loss coaching. I have developed a program called "the glow approach" which will help you develop a healthy relationship with food, which means 1) putting food back in its place as nourishment for your body and learning which foods "work for you" for health and weight-loss; and 2) identifying what role(s) food plays in your life: a coping mechanism to manage feelings, avoid issues, fill a void, and/or self-medicate underlying mental-health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD.

I feel fortunate to have the experiences that I have had in working with a diverse group of individuals with various stories. I am able to build rapport quickly, making the client feel comfortable, and can assist in guiding the client in meeting their goals. I bring a unique experience as I look at the whole person to explore what all is, or has impacted them. We don't focus on disease management but strive to focus on overall wellness-mind, body, and soul. I enjoy helping clients find passion again in their life and to truly start living life-not just surviving each day. This is only a chapter of your life. Let's write a new one.

I believe Forrest Gump said it best when he stated "Life is like a box of chocolates"-as life can be sweet and enjoyable; but it can also be bitter and painful. It can definitely send us on emotional roller coaster rides that are not fun. My approach to working with mental health is to meet people where they are and provide individualized care. It's about building and fostering relationships for growth. Similar to the analogy of chocolates, I believe every individual is unique and present with their own life experiences. Thus, there is no one size fits all, & mental health does not fit in a box.

I approach therapy and treatment of individuals, couples, groups and families in a manner consistent with principles of integrity, cooperation and connectedness. I am dedicated to assisting individuals in improving the quality of their lives and in addressing mental health and substance use disorders with compassion.

Typical issues I work with include: Addiction, Anxiety, Adjustment issues, Depression, Domestic Violence/Abuse, Eating Disorders, Family Counseling, Grief and Loss, SIgnificant Life Changes, Trauma, and Relational Issues. I have practiced in a variety of settings including inpatient and outpatient. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.

As a licensed professional mental health counselor, I strive to help couples, families and individuals find the resources to work together, communicate and find the harmonious balance that will foster a healthy relationship in a marriage or family setting. Couples and families who are experiencing distress often play the "blame game" and experience difficulty in communication. As a counselor and third party, I strive to help clients listen to each other, find healthy communication techniques, and accept responsibility for their roles in the relationship in turn encouraging love and respect to grow within the family system.

We all go through challenges in life and shouldn’t have to face hard times alone. My passion is to come alongside and help you navigate these challenges. As a therapist pursing my certification as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, I specialize in working with teens and their families, and adults who struggle with symptoms from eating disorders, such as anorexia-nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, over exercising, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating. I also work with adults and teens who have symptoms of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and day to day life stressors.

I am an open, caring, compassionate therapist who will build a therapeutic relationship with each individual using a client centered approach. Therapy is an active and collaborative process between client and therapist. I will work with you to create a treatment plan that encompasses the issues you want to address in therapy. I will work with you to identify and help implement new strategies to manage the challenges you are facing, while giving you honest, helpful feedback to help you reach the right solution and choices for yourself, My office is a confidential, comfortable, and relaxed, warm and inviting environment.