About Me
The most important thing that I would like you to know about me is that I love being a therapist! I feel very honored to be able to assist my clients in learning how to make changes in their lives that will bring them a greater sense of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Education:
I graduated, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from CSU, Chico, where I was elected a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. I had a double Minor in Family Relations and in Women's Studies. I have a Master of Social Work (Child and Family Services) from CSU, Sacramento. I researched and wrote my graduate thesis on a Critical Analysis of Co-dependency.
Experience:
My experience has been focused on counseling individuals, couples, and families with a variety of issues, since 1996. I have worked with men, women, and children, from age 8 to 88. My clients have represented a wide range of many cultures, ethnic groups, and socio-economic levels. I have, also, facilitated, and/or co-facilitated, varied process groups. What sets me apart from many other therapists is that my focus is always on my clients' individual strengths and resources, rather than any pathologies. I am, from the very first session, looking for ways to empower them to see themselves in a brand new way.
Specialties:
I specialize in stress management and personal empowerment issues, because I have seen first hand how stress and the lack of empowerment impact people's lives. I volunteered for over four years at a women's shelter in northern California and saw the inter-generational patterns of suffering. I came away from that with a passion for helping people move out of the victim role and into a sense of empowerment, ready to make better choices and turn their lives around. I am, also, passionate about helping my clients learn how to manage stress in a healthier way, so that it doesn't create serious physical and emotional problems.
On a personal note...
I am very patient, and I'm a good listener. I am able to see situations from many different angles. This allows me to be flexible and resourceful when presenting various options to my clients. I have a calm, quiet, reassuring nature, which is very soothing to people who are dealing with great amounts of stress and anxiety. Besides my education and training, I bring to my counseling many varied, personal life experiences. I believe those experiences add a richness and dimension to my work, and help me to easily empathize with my clients, as they deal with their issues.
* If you would like to have any additional information about my training, education, or method of working with clients, please call me at: 805-569-0264 or email me at: linda@counselinginsb.com.