Hello, my name is Pamela Huckaby, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mental health therapist. Congratulations for having the courage to ask for help. I really look forward to working with you to help you realize more of your goals and feel happier about your life. This process will not be easy, but as we work hard together, you can change your life for the better. It will take work and dedication, and it will be important for you to practice the things we talk about in our sessions together. Sometimes you may not like me very much, because I will need to confront you about things that are no longer working for you. But I am dedicated to helping you along the way, and hope that we can establish a trusting relationship. This is your journey. I am here to help, but not do it for you. The more you take this process seriously, the better results you will have.
My experience as a bilingual case manager, counselor, crisis worker (Designated Mental Health Provider – DMHP), group facilitator, psychotherapist with a strong background of treating trauma, treating severe and persistent mental illness, and as a diagnostician have prepared me well for providing compassionate and effective mental health services. I have 8 years’ experience as a mental health therapist. Previous to graduate school, I worked for approximately 10 years as a case manager in mental health, Head Start, and for a domestic violence shelter. I also interned with Child Protective Services and Hospice before starting my work as a therapist. I also have experience working for the Family Advocacy Program, as a contracting social worker with the U.S. Air Force in Okinawa, Japan. So, I am experienced in working with military families as well.
I have worked with all age groups – individuals and families. I have been well trained by 3 different public mental health agencies – Center for Living in The Dalles, Oregon, Comprehensive Healthcare in White Salmon, Washington, and Bear River Mental Health Services in Brigham City, Utah. I also contracted with the Air Force in Okinawa, Japan, working in The Family Advocacy Program (FAP). I am a licensed clinical social worker/LCSW for the state of Utah. I am trained, certified, and experienced at providing various evidence based treatments, including, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Counseling, Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT for adults, CBT Plus (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children to treat Anxiety, Behavior, Depression, or Trauma), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy to treat adults with Trauma and Major Depression), and CETA (Common Elements Treatment Approach – for the effects of trauma). I am also trained and experienced in providing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is a leading modality for treating trauma, and can be effectively done through virtual sessions. Together we can decide which treatment modality may work best for you, according to your treatment needs and goals.
I have facilitated CBT Group, Multi-family Group for individuals with Schizophrenia, a Women’s Art Therapy Group, and a community Emotional Life Skills psychoeducational class. As a life coach and Master Rapid Eye Technician, I have also practiced the energy psychology modalities of RET (Rapid Eye Technology) and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) since 2001.
My Bachelor’s degree is in Psychology, with a minor in Family and Human Development from Utah State University. My Master’s degree is in Social Work from Walden University. I am able to provide services in both English and Spanish, and I have been certified with the State of Washington as a DSHS Bilingual Counselor.
Together we will explore the way your thoughts and perceptions have influenced your feelings, behavior, and experiences in life. We form our belief systems as we react to our individual experiences. Much of the time we blame ourselves, and express self-hatred when things don’t go the way we would like them to. This then affects how we experience life. But, as you discover why and how you think the way you do, you will be able to reframe your thoughts/beliefs, in order to create more positive outcomes and satisfaction in your life. That doesn’t mean your life will then magically be perfect, but you will be armed with the coping skills you need to work through the challenges you face.
There will be homework, but no shaming. This is your journey, with me as your facilitator. We will go at your pace. Please feel free to ask me any questions, or to stop me, if we move in a direction you don’t want to go. I may gently push at times, but I will honor your wishes. I truly look forward to getting to know you personally, as we make important discoveries that will provide insight and skills for your life currently and in the future.