My License
What is an LCSW ?
A Licensed Certified Social Worker in the state of Arkansas is a therapist who practices much in the same way as a psychologist or a counselor. We are sometimes referred to as "Clinical Social Workers." An LCSW requires a 2-year course of graduate study in Social Work culminating in a Master's in Social Work degree. During the completion of this degree the graduate student takes a variety of courses related to human behavior, development, relationships, and cultural and societal influences on individual behavior. If the student plans a career in therapy, (s)he also takes psychology- and therapy- related courses where (s)he learns about psychological disorders, types of therapy and goal setting directed toward meaningful change. Internships are also required during graduate school in order to provide experience in the real world of social work. After graduating from an MSW program, the graduate may take the LMSW (Licensed Master Social Work) test to begin working as a professional social worker. Two 2 additional years of supervised therapy practice is required before the therapist is allowed to take the LCSW test, which then culminates in the terminal license. In the state of Arkansas, LCSW's are required to attend 48 hours of training every two years in order to maintain their license.
My Education
I received my B.S. in Zoology from Oklahoma State University in 1995. At that time I had plans to study animal behavior. After realizing that my real talents lie in understanding human behavior and motivations, I returned to school to complete 18 hours in graduate-level psychology. I eventually entered the Social Work graduate program at the University of Arkansas and graduated in the inaugural graduate class of 2005. During my graduate schooling, I worked as a graduate research assistant and was privileged to be able to participate in quality research and presentation of our research at state, national, and international conferences. The highlight was co-presenting at the International Association for Feminist Economics conference at Oxford University. I also was able to perform my own research on attachment styles in sexual offenders.
At my pinning ceremony, I received an award for Outstanding Performance in the MSW Program.
My Therapy Experience
I have been a practicing mental health professional for over 10 years. I have significant experience in individual, group and family therapy. I have worked for both for-profit and non-profit mental health agencies, both inpatient and outpatient, within the school setting, and at a developmental day treatment center. My experience includes work with clients ages 2 – 75, although my practice at this time focuses on clients age 13 and up. I have experience working with clients dealing with anxiety, trauma, mood disorders and personality disorders. I have extensive training and experience utilizing directive and non-directive play therapy technique with children. I also have considerable experience in using and teaching child redirection and behavioral modification to parents and teachers. I have also become familiar with techniques focused on helping individuals with high-functioning autism and their families. I also offer bilingual therapy services to Hispanic individuals and families.
My Therapeutic Interests
Hoarding, Cluttering, and Chronic Disorganization: Long before reality television began allowing us to see inside the houses of people with severe hoarding problems, I began noticing this hidden epidemic in the mental health community. While facilitating various therapy groups including those focused on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and trauma, client began to reveal and discuss their own struggles with hoarding issues. From compulsive hoarding of specific items and compulsive shopping to increased anxiety with deciding what to throw away and inability to follow through on efforts to organize, it became clear to me that hoarding and chronic disorganization was a common issue regardless of the primary diagnosis of my clients. As a chronically disorganized person myself, I have learned many of the factors related to these issues as well as effective means to counteract the behaviors and underlying emotional distress. Hoarding and chronic disorganization is often related to depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and ADHD. One of my primary therapy interests in understanding these connections and helping clients make significant changes in their lives by gaining more control over their physical environment. My hope is to soon began facilitating a few therapy groups focused on hoarding and disorganization issues.
New Immigration Issues: I have spent many years interacting in various capacities within the Hispanic community in Arkansas. I taught myself to speak Spanish long before I considered being a therapist because I enjoy learning about new cultures and languages. Later, my Spanish-speaking abilities provided me the opportunity to translate in social situations, in mental health venues, and in research with organizations like the Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas. I began to enjoy acting as advocate for Hispanics in mental health settings. I also have made some wonderful life-long friends. Through interactions with my Hispanic friends, colleagues, and clients, however, I began to understand issues related to acculturation that are specific to first- and second-generation Hispanic immigrants. Hispanic women and adolescent girls especially are required to navigate through a complicated maze of conflicting messages from their two cultures and the friends, family and organizations in their lives. One of my interests is to help with emotional struggles related to these acculturation issues.
High-Functioning Autism (formerly known as Asperger's): After I began working for a developmental day treatment center for children, I realized the need to tailor therapy towards clients on the autism spectrum. At that time, I began spending much of my training time in learning about Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, including diagnostic signs, communication difficulties, social understanding, and obstacles to forming and maintaining meaningful and satisfying relationships. I continue to add to my knowledge and understanding of this area and wish to use my knowledge to help those with High-functioning Autism become successful in their social environments.
What is an LCSW ?
A Licensed Certified Social Worker in the state of Arkansas is a therapist who practices much in the same way as a psychologist or a counselor. We are sometimes referred to as "Clinical Social Workers." An LCSW requires a 2-year course of graduate study in Social Work culminating in a Master's in Social Work degree. During the completion of this degree the graduate student takes a variety of courses related to human behavior, development, relationships, and cultural and societal influences on individual behavior. If the student plans a career in therapy, (s)he also takes psychology- and therapy- related courses where (s)he learns about psychological disorders, types of therapy and goal setting directed toward meaningful change. Internships are also required during graduate school in order to provide experience in the real world of social work. After graduating from an MSW program, the graduate may take the LMSW (Licensed Master Social Work) test to begin working as a professional social worker. Two 2 additional years of supervised therapy practice is required before the therapist is allowed to take the LCSW test, which then culminates in the terminal license. In the state of Arkansas, LCSW's are required to attend 48 hours of training every two years in order to maintain their license.
My Education
I received my B.S. in Zoology from Oklahoma State University in 1995. At that time I had plans to study animal behavior. After realizing that my real talents lie in understanding human behavior and motivations, I returned to school to complete 18 hours in graduate-level psychology. I eventually entered the Social Work graduate program at the University of Arkansas and graduated in the inaugural graduate class of 2005. During my graduate schooling, I worked as a graduate research assistant and was privileged to be able to participate in quality research and presentation of our research at state, national, and international conferences. The highlight was co-presenting at the International Association for Feminist Economics conference at Oxford University. I also was able to perform my own research on attachment styles in sexual offenders.
At my pinning ceremony, I received an award for Outstanding Performance in the MSW Program.
My Therapy Experience
I have been a practicing mental health professional for over 10 years. I have significant experience in individual, group and family therapy. I have worked for both for-profit and non-profit mental health agencies, both inpatient and outpatient, within the school setting, and at a developmental day treatment center. My experience includes work with clients ages 2 – 75, although my practice at this time focuses on clients age 13 and up. I have experience working with clients dealing with anxiety, trauma, mood disorders and personality disorders. I have extensive training and experience utilizing directive and non-directive play therapy technique with children. I also have considerable experience in using and teaching child redirection and behavioral modification to parents and teachers. I have also become familiar with techniques focused on helping individuals with high-functioning autism and their families. I also offer bilingual therapy services to Hispanic individuals and families.
My Therapeutic Interests
Hoarding, Cluttering, and Chronic Disorganization: Long before reality television began allowing us to see inside the houses of people with severe hoarding problems, I began noticing this hidden epidemic in the mental health community. While facilitating various therapy groups including those focused on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and trauma, client began to reveal and discuss their own struggles with hoarding issues. From compulsive hoarding of specific items and compulsive shopping to increased anxiety with deciding what to throw away and inability to follow through on efforts to organize, it became clear to me that hoarding and chronic disorganization was a common issue regardless of the primary diagnosis of my clients. As a chronically disorganized person myself, I have learned many of the factors related to these issues as well as effective means to counteract the behaviors and underlying emotional distress. Hoarding and chronic disorganization is often related to depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and ADHD. One of my primary therapy interests in understanding these connections and helping clients make significant changes in their lives by gaining more control over their physical environment. My hope is to soon began facilitating a few therapy groups focused on hoarding and disorganization issues.
New Immigration Issues: I have spent many years interacting in various capacities within the Hispanic community in Arkansas. I taught myself to speak Spanish long before I considered being a therapist because I enjoy learning about new cultures and languages. Later, my Spanish-speaking abilities provided me the opportunity to translate in social situations, in mental health venues, and in research with organizations like the Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas. I began to enjoy acting as advocate for Hispanics in mental health settings. I also have made some wonderful life-long friends. Through interactions with my Hispanic friends, colleagues, and clients, however, I began to understand issues related to acculturation that are specific to first- and second-generation Hispanic immigrants. Hispanic women and adolescent girls especially are required to navigate through a complicated maze of conflicting messages from their two cultures and the friends, family and organizations in their lives. One of my interests is to help with emotional struggles related to these acculturation issues.
High-Functioning Autism (formerly known as Asperger's): After I began working for a developmental day treatment center for children, I realized the need to tailor therapy towards clients on the autism spectrum. At that time, I began spending much of my training time in learning about Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, including diagnostic signs, communication difficulties, social understanding, and obstacles to forming and maintaining meaningful and satisfying relationships. I continue to add to my knowledge and understanding of this area and wish to use my knowledge to help those with High-functioning Autism become successful in their social environments.