Therapists in Ruston, LA

Reaching out for support is an act of courage, and I honor you for taking the first step toward lasting change! You're here because you're going through something, and whatever that is, I'm here to help. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Louisiana and Massachusetts (in MA my license is "LICSW") with ten years of experience working as a psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults. I have helped clients and families through issues including anxiety and depression, parenting challenging children, career difficulties, issues related to sexuality and gender identity, ADHD, life stress, work-life balance, relationship issues, and more. As someone who has struggled with both anxiety and depression at various points in my life, I come at the therapeutic process with both personal and professional knowledge, and always keep in mind those things that were most helpful to me when I was the one seeking a therapist. My style as a therapist reflects my belief that the relationship you and I forge is the foundation from which change becomes possible. Working through the things which hold us back can mean facing difficult feelings and memories, and it's important to have the right partner on that journey. I aim to be a supportive and encouraging partner in change, as well as getting to know you well so that I can provide interventions that make sense for you rather than a one size fits all approach. I believe in helping you build a toolbox of concrete tools and skills that you can draw from moving forward—in helping you equip yourself to meet not only the challenges you’re facing now, but also leaving you better prepared to manage future challenges as they come. I'm here to support you as we explore ways to help you meet your goals and live your best life!

My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. I view counseling as a collaborative relationship in which the client and I work together to explore the current problematic issues and develop goals to address these issues. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, behavioral issues and communication and relationships. I work with children, adults, teens, couples, and families of all backgrounds.

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 provide a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment for my clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and strive to create a strong connection with each of my clients. Together, we will work towards identifying and achieving your goals for therapy. I have experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and I am committed to providing culturally competent care. I understand the importance of addressing the unique challenges and experiences that each individual may face. I am here to support and empower you on your journey towards personal growth and healing. I believe that everyone has the potential to create positive change in their lives, and I am here to help guide you along the way. Let's work together to create a path towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions. 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.

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 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & depression. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & anger management. 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. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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!