What Therapy Looks Like In My Office:
I provide both face-to-face or virtual sessions. We can even do both depending on how you feel any given week. It is whatever makes you feel the most comfortable, because that is the essence of what will produce meaningful and effective results in therapy. When you are working with me you can expect me to ask a lot of thought-provoking questions. I’m a curious person, so I want to know and absorb as much as I can. I’m a reflective listener, so I will be completely engaged and focused on you. I love hearing about you, what you’re thinking, what brought you to the point you are at in your life, and all the twists or turns you took on the way. I believe there are few coincidences that occur in life, and if you pay close enough attention to the details you will start to see the patterns, the connectedness, the lessons to be learned, and the answers from the insights gained in these situations. Most of the feedback I have received from my past clients is that it was in the way I asked a question that made them think in a different way and in the way I kept asking the “hard questions” that needed to be asked, which separated me from their past therapists. I also try to include my interests of music and art in my counseling especially when working with the younger population. Don’t be surprised if you see art supplies, sensory toys, or hear drums coming out of my office.
My Treatment Approaches:
Unfortunately, many of us have been trained to quiet our voice, quiet our body, stuff negativity away in compartments, or worse bury them deep. Living in the world we do with impossible expectations placed on us, this cycle is perpetrated by encouraging us to distract ourselves, check out, and to work as many hours as possible pretending this pain inside of us does not exist. But, I have learned that “the body keeps score” and it will find a way to remind us that this is not healthy. It does not fade away on its own with time, but festers. It will create unwanted thoughts and unwanted actions. We must end this cycle and create a cycle of healing. “Its not what’s wrong with you, but what happened to you” and “There is nothing wrong with you that what’s right with you can’t fix”. I use a somatic trauma informed, strengths based, family systems approach with dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). However, I might use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) if you’re feeling a little stuck or motivational interviewing if you need a jumpstart because you’re feeling a little disagreeable that day.
My Certifications and Trainings and Who do I work with:
My work providing intensive home-based family therapy since 2010 has given me the insight and experience to handle heated situations, form alignments so that each person feels valued, manage conflicting perspectives, and to find solutions in these differences. It has taught me how to work with the family as a united front to form routines that increase the harmony in the home. My role providing school- based therapy has shown me that every child wants to do well, but we must work as a team to identify the unmet needs that are preventing the child from being successful. My positions working in Partial Hospitalization and later Day Treatment have given me an advanced skill set in working with children that struggle with reactivity, aggression, low stress tolerances, sensory sensitivities, depression, anxiety, and other related behavioral challenges. My experience as a Gottman Level 2 Trained couples’ therapist has given me the tools to help couples develop different ways of communicating, handling conflicts, addressing resentments, relating and learning how to find joy again. Throughout all these opportunities, I have dedicated my career to working with survivors of trauma including domestic violence, stalking, sexual abuse, neglect, and intergenerational trauma. I am certified in providing trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and have worked under Dr. Bruce Perry with the Child Trauma Academy to become a certified trainer in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). Trauma and addiction often go hand in hand. If you are experiencing concerns with addiction, I can also explore this topic with you due to my experience of being a chemical dependency counselor in Ohio since 2014.
Why I became a counselor…
I became a counselor, so no one feels isolated, shamed, or unworthy to have someone in their corner in their darkest hour. Unfortunately, this was the case for me, and I don’t want anyone to feel alone when they are trying to find relief as I did. At 15, I knew I wanted to be a social worker after receiving this on a career aptitude test. I had no idea what social work was, nor did anyone around me. I did my research and from that point on, I forced myself to volunteer, intern, and later work in the places that made me most nervous and uncomfortable. I wanted to be sure that I was prepared, confident in my abilities, and sure this could be a lifetime career. Despite receiving only negative feedback that I wouldn’t like being a social worker, wouldn’t make enough money, or wouldn’t be good at it – I kept trying and I find great pride in proving that criticism wrong and being a social worker. This “job” is my passion. It embodies my values, core beliefs, and allows me to do what I do best with the strengths that I have. It humbles me every day and no day ever looks the same. And, for that, I’m grateful.
If I Weren’t A Counselor, I’d Be…
Sometimes I wonder about this question and the only thing I would do differently is to establish my own haven for unwanted dogs that need rehabilitation or need a final resting place. This is also one of my passions and what I do in my own personal life.
My Personal Life:
In my free time, I enjoy traveling and going to live music events. I’m an explorer of music, food, and art. A year ago, I would have said you could easily find me at a restaurant, music festival, museum, dog park or on a hike with my 3 dogs. But, since I had my daughter, my time is very limited and I’m spending most of it experiencing life with her.
My Favorite Movie/Book:
I love books and movies, so I struggle with narrowing it down to one pick. My top movies are: What Dreams May Come, 7 Pounds, Memento, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, and Collateral Beauty. My favorite books are: The Glass Castle, Life of Pi, Man’s Search for Meaning, and the Harry Potter series.
Practice Highlights:
1. Morning Appointments
2. Evening Appointments
3. Weekday Appointments
4. In-person Appointments
5. Online Appointments
Availability
Brittany provides in-person counseling services in Charlotte, North Carolina and online throughout North Carolina and Virginia.
