I have been in the mental health profession for over 10 years. I’ve worked in the school setting as a school counselor and within the community as a behavioral specialist providing behavioral modification to families. I have also provided individual and group therapy in homes. I have informed parents of various community supports such as Family Connections and Developmental Pediatrics to help them with getting special education services in place for their children with special needs. I’ve worked with these children on their social skills, independent living skills, and self-esteem. Being a mom of a child with special needs helps in my understanding of the frustration that these children with special needs and their parents face daily. As a client-focused therapist who works with teens and adults of various ages, I believe in listening attentively to my clients and assisting them in finding their solutions to their issues. I feel that we all have the power to transform ourselves by learning ways to change our negative thoughts and actions into positive thoughts and actions. I encourage my clients to use techniques such as positive self-talk, mindfulness and journaling to help facilitate these changes. Because clients have to be willing to put in the work towards healing, I remind them of that by modeling and illustrating these techniques for them. I will provide an environment that is not judgmental with understanding. I will also evaluate clients for any type of self-harm behaviors. I understand that sometimes clients just need to talk, to feel understood and know that it is okay not feel okay. This is especially crucial for individuals to realize in these times because of the pandemic, which has more people dealing with depression, trying to find a balance in life, and re-examining their place in this world.