Therapists serving clients in Lake Arthur, LA

My former principal once described me as a “natural born” teacher. Over the years, I have grown to love the process of acquiring knowledge, researching information, developing presentation policies, implementing programs, and initiating quality improvement initiatives. Because of this, my long-term goal is one affect change on a macro level. However, currently, I am in the process of fulfilling a goal that stems from a lifelong passion of mine that involves working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, substance abuse, and intellectual impairments. My overall goal is to assist individuals within this population with maximizing their ability to live, socialize, learn, and work in communities of their choice. To achieve efficient outcomes, it is important for me to develop a strong clinical foundation. This was my rationale for completing the MSW program and engaging in the process to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. Over the years, I have become extremely efficient in developing, implementing, and providing oversight and monitoring of social policies and programs. As a result, I have obtained a multifunctional leadership skill set that include a copious amount of knowledge that is directly related to mental health and psychiatric programs. This information is valuable to oversee the daily and fiscal operations of programs in a competent manner. My ability to initiate entrepreneurial social-service start-ups and propel them to midsize companies has been proven by my dynamic record of accomplishment. My program development and implementation skills have proven to be valuable on my journey to becoming a self-regulating change agent. This was beneficial when I began the process of opening MHP Human Services, Inc. Past Academic and Professional Experiences My undergraduate studies were in Criminal Justice, which led to the beginning of my career in the human service field. Initially, I worked for the Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer and later becoming an Intermediate level Probation and Parole Officer. During my tenure as a Probation and Parole Officer, I was promoted to oversee the Drug Treatment Court program. My compassion to serve individuals sparked my decision to further my education in the human service field, which, led to my pursuit to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education, which launched my career as a licensed elementary school teacher. The opportunity to work with children from diverse populations with various learning needs was a rewarding experience that caused me to want to work directly with families in their home and community. This prompted me to obtain part-time employment as a paraprofessional and later a qualified professional. Eventually, this opportunity led to my first entrepreneurial endeavor, A+ Absolute Care, Inc. This private agency provided outpatient and community-based services to children, adolescents, and adults with mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, and intellectual impairments. As a business owner, it was a necessary for me to acquire knowledge of business and accounting practices, which led to my obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and later Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. The combination of education and experience allowed me to develop and implement policies, procedures, programs, business, strategic, and risk management plans for the purpose of operating a business and meeting local, state, and national accreditation standards. Unfortunately, I soon learned that a solid foundation of business practices and principles was not enough to ensure that the individuals that I served were receiving quality treatment and yielding positive outcomes. To ensure quality assurance and improvement for the services that my agency was providing it was important for me to further my clinical knowledge, which led to my pursuit of a Master is Social Work (MSW). After obtaining my MSW, I began the process to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. Currently, I am enrolled in a Doctorate in Social Worker (DSW) at University of Southern California. Innovation and Creativity Over the past years, I have been able to develop and implement numerous programs that provide services to individuals from diverse cultures and socio-economic programs. Not only did I develop policies and procedures, implement, monitor, and provide oversight of programs, I also provided direct care and therapeutic services to individuals served. As an African American, female providing service to individuals from cultural backgrounds and ethnicities different from my own it is vital that I incorporate strategies and techniques that promote trust and rapport building. To achieve this, I tailored each individual treatment process and use a variety of evidence -based practices such as Cognitive Behavior, Motivational Interviewing, and Problem Solving techniques to increase treatment effectiveness. Because of the diversity of the population that I provide community-based services, it is pertinent that principles relating to the Ecosystem perspective are implemented. In addition, the treatment planning process has to be individualized, and it is vital that I take into consideration the individual served and his or her environment. When developing the treatment plan, innovation and creativity are necessary for identifying the individual served strengths and use these strengths to empower him or her during the treatment process. In addition, during the treatment process, it is pertinent that I consider psychological and sociological theoretical underpinnings that explain causal factors for social and personal behavior deficits. As mentioned previously, the primary population that I provide services to is individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Many of these individuals experience extreme difficulty coping and managing psychiatric symptoms. Because the psychotic symptoms associated with their illness is often ongoing, it may be difficult to motivate individuals to comply with treatment recommendations, medication regimens, or tasks to meet their daily needs. Because the outcome of treatment non-compliance can be severe, as a clinician I have to engage in strategies and techniques that are innovative and creative to develop a positive rapport and find ways to motivate the individual to adhere to treatment recommendations. This often requires me to use a team approach and collaborate with other stakeholders, natural and professional supports to encourage the individual to engage in goal-oriented tasks. In addition, because of the needs of individuals within population change consistently, engaging in ongoing symptom monitoring and management of individuals within this population is also important. Because as these individuals need changes, so does the need for clinicians to use creative and innovative strategies to motivate compliance increases. Individuals with SMPI also experience crisis at increase and frequent rates, which is another reason to employ creative and innovative techniques during the crisis response and de-escalation process. Communicate with Key Stakeholders Another task that I frequently engage in is communication and collaboration with stakeholders. These individuals include the individual served, natural and professional supports, licensed professionals, case managers, surveyors that provide oversight and monitoring, and members of the community. As a clinician, it is instrumental for me to provide case management services to individuals that I serve to assist them with improving functioning in various life domains and as a preventive measure. One way to achieve this is to collaborate with community agencies and external resources, which strengthens the individual served treatment outcomes. Often alternate treatment providers including natural, professional, and community resources are needed to achieve positive outcomes. This also requires me to engage in activities to coordinate collaborative preventive efforts by contacting these agencies and linking the individual served to alternative treatment resources. As a result of ongoing collaboration with alternate resources, the I am able to develop community partnerships with internal and external resources. Lead and Manage Teams In the past and in my current position, my leadership skills have allowed me to conceive and execute goal-driven strategies that create a branded platform for growth. I led three agencies from start-up mental health to serving a multi-facet population that provides an array of services to individuals diagnosed with mental health and developmental disabilities in multiple locations throughout the state. The leadership role required me to spearhead continuous process improvements across all specialized services, human resources, and administration. The outcome of processes yielded an increase in revenue, improved quality metrics, improved profit margin, reduced costs, and increased net profit of service-delivery operations for all agencies. My skill set includes the following: Strategy/Mission & Vision Planning Organizational Design Grant Writing, Oversight, and Implementation Financial Risk Management Structured Finance & Securitized Debt Service Delivery Architecture Quality Assurance and Improvement Corporate Compliance Business & Service Delivery Development Human Resource and Staff Development New Service Launch Collaborate with Communities and Professional Networks As a clinician and business owner, it is vital that I build strong community partnerships with other professionals and members of the community. My agency provides residential and outpatient services to individuals with SMPI. Because of this, I communicate daily with members of the professional community to ensure that individuals that I serve are receiving the most clinically effective service. Also, my agency is licensed by the state, therefore; I receive ongoing auditing and monitoring from local and state entities. These organizations include Department of Social Services, pharmacy, psychiatrist, hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities, law enforcement, fire marshal, code enforcement, and other entities. Professional Interest I have spent my entire professional career, which spans over 20 years working in the human service field. My professional goals involve advocating and developing policies and programs that will provide adequate residential services and outpatient treatment to individuals with SPMI. Long-term goals that I have developed involve affecting change from various levels.

I am currently a certified school counselor and I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana for the last 3 years. I have over 12 years of experience working with children and families as a school counselor. I have had specialized training in play therapy, bully prevention, applied suicide intervention training (ASIST), and currently hold a tele-mental health certification. I have previously operated a domestic violence crisis line, provided anger management classes for students and parents, and was the coordinator of an afterschool program for middle school students. My counseling style is meeting my clients where they are at present and providing unconditional positive regard. My approach to therapy is client centered, solution focused and cognitive behavioral. I am not adverse to trying new approaches if I feel that it will help my client achieve their goals for counseling. I believe even the strongest people sometimes need extra support. It takes wisdom and courage to ask for help. If you are ready to take the next steps, I will be your partner in building a strong healthy future.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, sleeping disorders, anger management, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Outside of therapy sessions, I am active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and passionate about helping others and surrounding various communities.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, coping with life changes, executive and professional coaching, & compassion fatigue. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Hello! I have been a practicing social worker for over 30 years. I am licensed in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. I have many years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families dealing with a range of issues in a variety of settings. Currently, I work primarily with teens and adults in their attempts to navigate challenging transitions. Life is full of transitions. These may include adjusting to college, beginning your first job, changing or losing a job, moving, getting married, welcoming and parenting a new baby, separating or divorcing, retiring, the passing of a loved one, or adjusting to life as an immigrant or ex-pat. Navigating these transitions -- even when they are joyful -- can be stressful and sometimes lead to anxiety and depression. I consider myself to be an eclectic therapist as I utilize several different approaches such as solution-focused brief therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy. Initially, I’ll conduct an assessment and based on the outcome will select approaches that are best for you. Research has shown that tailoring therapy to clients can enhance their treatment outcomes. By working together, I can assist you in developing or strengthening effective coping skills or problem-solving strategies that will better help you in the future. I have flexible hours to accommodate your work schedule. I appreciate your effort in reaching out and encourage you to contact me with any questions you might have. I look forward to us possibly working together.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience as a social worker and 5 years of experience in counseling. My focus has been working with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, and stress related issues. I also have a strong background working with clients with substance use disorders and/or their caregivers/families as well as working with the elderly dealing with change of life issues, health issues, death, dying and grief and caregivers of the elderly. My focus of practice is building a strong rapport and foundation with my client to enable a trust and respect for each other. I believe in a client directed approach allowing my client to focus on what they feel they need to work on in their life. My goal is to be a guide for you to effectively learn needed coping skills utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. I look forward to building a therapeutic relationship with you working towards a healthier mental health state.

I am licensed in Louisiana with years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Hello there! I'm here to support you as your therapist, helping you navigate life's ups and downs. As a favorite philosopher Dallas Willard said "Our first freedom is where we put our thoughts." That's my motto as we work together to shift your mindset and tackle whatever's holding you back. Perhaps you are struggling with anxiety or depression or you would like to improve communication skills, or smooth out relationship bumps. You may be experiencing a life transition or feel stuck and overwhelmed. With 30 years experience helping individuals, couples and families, I've got a bunch of tools in my toolkit to help. These include systemic, cognitive, and behavioral approaches, as well as EMDR if it fits. So, let's dive in and get you feeling your best!

I am a licensed therapist in Louisiana with 18 years of professional experience, specializing in helping clients navigate trauma and abuse. I graduated from Nicholls State University with a Master’s degree in Psychological Counseling, which laid the foundation for my comprehensive understanding of mental health and therapeutic practices. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, providing them with the support and tools needed to heal and reclaim their lives. My extensive experience has equipped me with a deep empathy and a nuanced approach to addressing the complex needs of trauma survivors. I believe that you are the expert of your own story and possess numerous strengths that will aid you in overcoming your challenges. My approach to therapy is client-centered and trauma-focused, ensuring that your unique experiences and needs guide our work together. I emphasize a holistic perspective, recognizing the importance of addressing not just the psychological aspects of trauma but also the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions to support your overall well-being. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy requires courage, and I am proud of you for making this important decision. It is an honor to be part of your journey toward healing and personal growth, and I am committed to providing a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for you to explore and overcome your challenges. I look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Louisiana with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!