Freedom Horse Counseling

I inherently care about helping you and value your unique life. I'm not a passive counselor who leans back in her chair behind a clipboard muttering an occasional “um-hum.” I am genuinely interested in hearing your story and helping you discover tools and insights to heal and grow. I know that change can be hard and uncomfortable. I will read what you need in terms of how hard to push versus how to create space for you to slowly explore what you need to. My ultimate goal is to customize my support for you, and help you create empowerment, freedom and joy in your life. 

I received a Master’s of Science degree from Walden University in Counseling, with a focus in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate, supervised by Christine Hurst LCPC, and work under my business structure Freedom Horse Counseling LLC. I carry insurance through Healthcare Providers Service Organization. I am committed to serving you with the best evidence-based practices available.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). 

Your thoughts and feelings have power in creating your reality. 

I use techniques drawn from the vast field of evidence-based best practice of cognitive behavioral therapy. This method is based on the connection between what we think and how we act. I help clients identify “cognitive distortions,” or dysfunctional thinking patterns that negatively impact their lives (some examples of this include all or nothing thinking, ‘should’ statements and overgeneralization) then I assist clients in reframing that belief to one that will better serve them.  I have used this method to help clients with challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, substance use disorder, ADHD, and trauma. 

Existential Therapy 

A deep desire to thrive in life comes from knowing your “why.” 

I enjoy helping clients discover the deeper meaning of life for them, which empowers and motivates clients to work through the challenging times life presents. Our journies hold great meaning, and it can be liberating to work through challenges and discover the lessons life has to teach us. Freedom can be gained through holding yourself accountable for your own role in your life. I have used tools from existential therapy to help clients struggling with issues of loss, grief, substance use, abuse, anxiety, and depression. 

Narrative Therapy 

You are the hero of your own story. 

I, like everyone, have a story that includes victory and losses. I love to hear clients’ unique stories and help them rewrite parts of their own narratives that do not serve them. Honesty is the cornerstone of effective therapy, and reframing a story is simply a matter of telling it in a way where you are the hero, despite mistakes and losses. In every single story, the hero deserves another chance. I have helped clients using narrative therapy who have suffered from abusive relationships, guilt and shame, substance use, anxiety, depression, anger issues, and relationship issues. 

Solution Focused Therapy  

If you don’t like the way your life is going, change it. 

I use techniques from solution focused therapy to help equip clients with tools to make changes. Discovering long-term patterns of thinking, feeling and behavior dating back into childhood can be an important psychoanalytic tool, these tools however focus more on the current problem and what strengths you have to work on it right now. Example interventions that I have used to help individuals include writing lists and prioritizing, implementing coping strategies as homework, changing a communication pattern in a relationship, responding differently to feelings of anger, writing a letter to others or self, and drawing on core values and identities. I have helped folks with these tools who have suffered from eating disorders, self-esteem issues, teen cyberbullying, anger issues, and depression.