Hello! My name is Andrea, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I like to say that I have been a social worker throughout all my jobs, starting as a library assistant in my hometown as a teen. In this position, I encountered many people who needed personal guidance and connections to resources and knew then, this was something wanted to be able to help people with. I explored several career paths in college before landing on social work. All of them revealed the common thread of helping people get the supports they needed to be successful in their lives and community. I recognized my personal mission was to help others be able to be in their best place. As a social worker, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings with a variety of people. Let me share a few of these experiences with you so you have some insight into my attitudes about therapy and recovery. I have worked with families with addiction issues whose children were in DFS custody. My role was to address barriers that stood in the way of families being reunited and having positive futures.  I learned a great deal about generational patterns of dysfunctional behaviors, effects of trauma, and addiction. It was rewarding work to help families find a way to become whole and healthy. I have worked with individuals who have committed violent crimes which helped me gain perspective about who people are, and who they want to be. It has helped solidify my belief that people can gain insight, find hope, and change if there is a desire to do so.  I have also worked at an inpatient psychiatric hospital for several years. This was one of my favorite positions as people who were admitted were usually experiencing a crisis and needed immediate help. In my position there, I was able to offer intensive therapy, assist with access to appropriate medication, worked on immediate problem solving, and arranged continued supports once they were discharged. Many of the people reported that they left the hospital feeling BETTER and more hopeful when looking forward to the future.   Most recently, I have worked as an outpatient therapist. I have especially enjoyed working with individuals with anger issues, anxiety and mood disorders, OCD, and personality disorders. I enjoy working with all ages. My therapy approach varies depending on what the individual needs, but my favorite approaches are dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  I look forward to knowing your story and how I might help you with any challenges you may be encountering!