Heart and Mind Counseling

Social Work focuses on the clinical aspect of mental health, and psychology focuses on research and diagnosis. For example, as social workers, our training helps us look at your whole biopsychosocial environment. We look at your environment, including where you live, who you live with, and your family background. We also look at your community, friends, organizations to which you belong, and spiritual beliefs, as well as your employment, financial situation, and health. We assess how all of that can impact your current emotions and feelings, or perhaps how some of those aspects can help you.

The short answer is “no.” However, as you become comfortable talking to me, you will want to reveal more information as we go along because I can better help you. In a sense, the more you can tell me about your situation, the better we can come up with solutions, process your emotions, and address your fears. Feeling like you need to tell me everything right away may not be helpful to your therapeutic process, especially if it makes you nervous or uncomfortable. We will respect your mind and body, and you will set the pace for discussing your concerns.

Good point! During graduate school for social work, we received training to remember entire therapy sessions by doing a “Process Recording assignment.” We learned to write out the whole session, along with other details. We did this task multiple times throughout the program, which taught us to remember all aspects of our time together. To ensure your record is accurate, I like to write my notes immediately after we finish. Hence, I want to make sure that when we conclude that there is space in my schedule after your appointment to document your session with accurate and detailed notes.

Great question! No, I do not take notes during our session. I am 100% focused on what you are saying, tuning into your expressions and emotions, so you feel heard and understood. After we finish our session, I will make notes about our conversation in your file to have an appropriate medical record for you.

Yes, therapy is possible either via Zoom or over the telephone. I am skilled at helping you via Telehealth; I attended Graduate School via video conference and online, and was instrumental in getting the hospice where I worked to conduct Telehealth sessions with clients. I also regularly run Clinical Skills Lab via Zoom with my students. You will be participating in therapy with someone who is very in tune with the nuances clients make while on the phone or video conference, allowing me to pick up on your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.