About The Image of You Counseling

 Being in a relationship isn't at all like what we see in the movies. When you first meet someone and feel that instant spark, it's amazing and exciting, but it takes effort and commitment to maintain that spark. Sometimes, couples start to grow apart because they feel like they've lost their individuality and aren't being true to themselves. This leads to blaming and resentment in the relationship. It's natural to fear losing oneself or the other person, and this fear can lead to distancing ourselves from the relationship. Sometimes this distance happens intentionally and sometimes it does not. Of course, there are relationships that may no longer serve a purpose or have reached their end, and that's okay. On the other hand, there are relationships where both partners feel stuck, lost, and miss the connection they once had, fearing that they'll never get it back. However, it's possible to rekindle that connection and regain a sense of individuality while still being a team with your partner. Through therapy, we can work together to uncover and address deep-rooted issues. I understand that couples therapy can be intimidating. As a therapist, I aim to be compassionate, empathetic, and straightforward. To find solutions, it's important for both partners to be willing to truly hear each other, embrace uncertainty, take personal responsibility in the relationship, and be ready to put in the effort. With this approach, finding balance within the partnership is entirely possible!

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood. When people say "I'm so OCD" just because they like to be neat and organized, they most likely do not have the disorder. OCD can manifest in various subtypes, such as contamination fears, fear of harming others intentionally or accidentally, fear of something bad happening if things are not done a certain way, perfectionistic OCD, and more. All these subtypes share the common feature in that these fears, urges, and thoughts are completely unwanted and intrusive. Unfortunately, OCD leads a person to question their moral standing and struggle with a heavy sense of self-doubt daily. It can be challenging for those without OCD to understand, and parents of children with OCD often find themselves providing reassurance. However, reassurance is not helpful for OCD sufferers. If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, I have both personal and professional experience with the condition and am highly trained in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, which is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for OCD. ERP, like all therapy, is nothing without a humanistic approach, and I pride myself on trying to create a therapeutic environment where my clients understand that they are now part of a team. ERP can feel challenging at first, but it is completely worth it. If you are struggling with OCD, I have full confidence that if you put in dedication and work you can do this! It’s time for you to be the boss of you and not your OCD. 

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When your friends or family tell you to "snap out of it," it probably feels like you are alone on an island. All you want is for someone to understand why getting out of bed feels like running a marathon, or why living your day-to-day life feels like being stuck upside down on a roller coaster when you're afraid of heights. Depression and anxiety don't have a simple on/off switch. If you struggle with either condition or both, you understand how challenging it can be, and I'm so sorry you're going through this. In treating depression and generalized anxiety disorders, it's important to know that you're not alone. I use a humanistic approach combined with identifying the root and possible cause of either condition to help my clients. Sometimes depression and anxiety can be deeply rooted, and sometimes they are inherited through genetic predisposition, but suppressing these feelings will only make them worse. My goal is to help clients navigate through difficult times and provide them with the tools to recognize when they're struggling and how to manage it. My hope is that they have more good days and thrive despite their challenges. You can live a happier life and learn to embrace your condition without it taking over. Let's work together to achieve this! 

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If I told you to look up all three of these words in the dictionary, you probably would not find them related to one another, but they are. In life, everything affects everything else. If you struggle with abandonment issues, low self-esteem, or feeling stuck in a job that makes you miserable, this is all rooted in fear. Fear can be the biggest bully you'll ever meet, and it can stop you from living your best life. We take steps in each session to truly understand and get to the root of why you are feeling the way you are and will use a humanistic approach along with a Cognitive Behavioral approach so that we can bring out the brave and amazing person that's living within you and waiting to fly. It's time to break free, face fears, and thrive! 

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