Hello, and welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Andrea and I am looking forward to working with you. Starting therapy can be a big step and I want you to feel comfortable taking that step with me. I have a Master in Social Work from Boston University, as well as a Master in Public Health. My undergraduate degree is in the Study of Women and Gender from Smith College. I have 8 years of experience since earning my master’s and, while I was in graduate school, I was working with youth and families involved with the state’s welfare and mental health program. As a public health social worker, I examine both the individual and societal picture – the things that shape us all as humans and who we are as distinct people. While I utilize a number of different therapeutic approaches, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a particular focus of mine. All that means is that we do some looking at how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and some ways to intervene when those thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are working against you instead of for you. Regardless of style, one of the most important factors in counseling is the relationship between therapist and client – I always tell new people that if it does not feel like a good fit, we should talk about it and you should feel free to let me know if I am not the right counselor for you. That said, I hope that we will be able to be successful in taking on this journey.